Classical Theories – Part 3
Associate Professor Guy Hall
Classical Theories
• Classical theory as an explanation of crime was soon overtaken by positivist
theories
• This occurred for two main reasons:
• Growth of science including social sciences which is covered in the lecture on positivism
• Inherent problems with classical position
Contemporary Classicism
• New Right – from the rise and rise of right wing politics
• From more sophisticated number crunching
• Rational choice
• Routine activities
New Right
• Not so much a “theory” as populist criminology.
• New right policies are simply a logical reintroduction of retributionist and utilitarian
principles.
• The fundamental proposition in criminal law is free will and thus rationality.
New Right
• Hedonism provides a simple explanation of crime.
• Deterrence is a logical basis for crime prevention.
• Punish hard and you will reduce crime!
Problems with New Right
• Increasing penalties have limited effects.
• Research has focused on deterrent effects of changing police practices,
increasing incarceration and death penalty. This research shows small increase,
small decrease or no effect on crime rates
• In any case, the small decrease is associated with massive costs which are best
spent elsewhere
Problems with New Right
• Increasing penalties may exacerbate crime.
• If punishments are increased then it may reduce reporting or increase severity of
behaviour (might as well be hung for sheep as a lamb), more tragically kill a
victim since they cannot then give evidence.
Rational Choice Theory
• Also referred to as Opportunity Theory
• Most strongly applied in crime prevention
• Not proponent of punishment
• Crime is viewed from an economic, rational choice perspective.
• People commit crimes because the benefits outweigh the disadvantages ie
simple hedonism.
• Crime is a rational, opportunistic decision based behaviour (as opposed to
pathology)
Rational Choice Theory
• People will commit crimes if:
• it is attractive
• it is accessible
It is still possible to accept that choices may be bounded and that choice making
may be pre-determined. That is, decision making is in part determined by the
characteristics of the decision maker – an acceptance of positivism.
Rational Choice Theory
• It is a crime control theory and the fundamental basis of situational crime control.
• The focus is on making the targets of crime either less attractive or less
accessible rather than focussing on the offender.
• The approach also acknowledges the importance of differences in individual
decision making and in different crimes (hence the situational perspective).
Routine Activities Theory
• It is suggested that crimes occur where
• 1. there is a convergence of likely offenders;
• 2. there are suitable targets; and
• 3. there is an absence of capable guardians
Routine Activities Theory
• Theory accounts for opportunity and modernisation (ie structure of communities
eg dormitory suburbs, shopping centres, etc)
• Focus is on prevention but includes need for deterrence & restitution
Contemporary Classicism
• The opportunity theories now dominant theories in criminal justice policy
• These theories provide considerable drive for crime prevention
Limitations
• The major criticism of the opportunity theories is that they accept the status quo
• However the response from the opportunity theorists is that they are merely trying
to limit harm in the community
• Another criticism is that it is mostly focussed on situational crime prevention
• To which they reply “yes”
• The point is – there are other explanations of crime
