This Social context and aspects of crime consists of the immediate interaction among four elements given below and viewing each of them within the broader framework of social structure.
This idea has been expressed in Taylor’s book New Criminology, where it is explained that the immediate source of deviant behavior should be understood within this wider social context, and that both the offender and the victim must necessarily be included in this analysis. Left-wing idealism takes this a step further by insisting that not only criminal acts and state institutions should be viewed in this context, but that informal social controls should also be included in the process.
Here, the difference between right-wing realism and left-wing realism becomes quite clear. According to right-wing realism, the causes of crime are considered completely independent of social structure. For example, family and parents are blamed for deviance, assuming that they are not part of the social structure and are not influenced by the social environment. Another example is the temperament of modern society, which is held responsible for many evils, while ignoring its connection with the realities of a market society.
Type of Crime
According to left-wing realist criminology, crime is a chain of relationships, and the nature of these relationships varies in each type of crime. This can be understood by comparing drug-related crimes with burglary and assault. In drug crimes, criminal relationships are often international in nature and spread across different countries. In burglary, several individuals are involved along with buildings and houses, whereas in assault only one person is affected. In the history of crime, differences are also found in the composition of these relationships. Both cooperation and coercion are present in crime. In drug-related crimes, cooperation and consent exist at every stage. In burglary, consent exists in the exchange of goods, but coercion is present in the act itself. Assault is entirely based on coercion.
Temporal Aspect of Crime
The temporal aspect (or history) of crime consists of the four elements of crime and their interaction with one another over time. Left-wing realist criminology considers the history and growth of crime and divides the trajectory of crime over time into the following parts, examining their mutual interaction: (1) the underlying causes of crime, (2) the moral context that encourages the offender, (3) the act of committing the crime, (4) detection of the crime, (5) reaction against the offender, and (6) the reaction of the victim.
The formation of a criminal career is shaped by the interaction of these elements and by the measures taken by the state against different crimes. These include material changes in the offender’s career and justifications of crime. However, it must be accepted that these factors do not affect only the offender’s career; all four elements of crime also change over time, and their interactions also evolve. The police response toward offenders is subject to change, and public attitudes also continue to change in response to fear of crime.
Spatial Aspect of Crime
This aspect relates to the place where crime is committed. Crimes have specific areas, and their geography also keeps changing. Drug-related crimes have an international dimension, but this business is limited to particular countries, and within them, it operates in specific areas of cities. Similarly, burglary in cities is committed in certain areas, and the exchange of stolen goods is also confined to particular locations. Violent assaults may not always have a fixed location, but when such an incident occurs, the place of occurrence becomes highly prominent. This is reflected in the number of incidents and the fear experienced by the residents of that area. Therefore, left-wing realist criminology emphasizes that, in order to control crime, intervention must be made at all four corners of the crime square. Focusing on only one factor—whether the offender, the victim, the police and law enforcement agencies, or the public—cannot solve the problem of crime. Effective crime control requires raising public awareness, improving the performance of police and other crime-control institutions, protecting and rehabilitating victims, and addressing the structural problems of society that generate crime. Without attention to all these aspects, crime cannot be controlled.
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