The latest criminological theories are considered critical because, first, they introduce a new paradigm in the interpretation of reasons why people commit crime. Secondly, these latest criminological theories introduce new perspectives of looking at criminal behavior in a total departure from the traditional criminological theories. Further, these criminological theories represent post-modernism, that is, reflect modern scientific or technological knowledge of crime and criminal behavior. Lastly, these theories are considered critical because they represent a new era of studying crime in light of new developments in the society (Lanier, Henry & Anastasia 106).
Postmodernism is a recent movement in criminology studies that explains criminal behavior and deviance. It involves the study of crime and criminals. It involves aspects of power, human identity, feminism or relationships and multiculturalism. Postmodernists believe that rational though is a form of power, that knowledge is not cumulative and that there are pluralities of knowledge. It also involves a social construction of the society’s rules, norms and values and their association with criminal behavior. Postmodernism is not considered a theory in criminology as such because it is too abstract and elitist in content and terminology and too difficult to define.
Henry and Milovanovic created the constitutive criminology in order to reflect the new construction of crime as an integral part of the societal production, human agents and the socio-cultural structures. This was also in recognition that social structures of inequality are not only the source of harm or crime but are also crime in themselves. In other words, it is the continuous inequalities in the society resulting in crime that necessitated the creation of this theory. They wished to come up with a more humanistic, optimistic and affirmative approach to criminology unlike postmodernism’s nihilistic, subjective and relativist approach to criminology (Bohm & Vogel 135)
According to the constitutive criminology, power explains crime from the fact that power creates social strata of inequality in the society that creates social pressure and conflicts thus resulting in criminal behavior. According to Bohm and Vogel, “criminals are excessive investors in the accumulation and expression of power and control” (135) hence crime according to the constitutive criminology is “as a result of powerlessness or power differentials” ( Bohm & Vogel 136). Power denies people the ability to make a difference hence resulting in crime.
Henry and Milovanovic (58) state that harms of reduction refers to a situation whereby individuals who have been offended experience some loss of quality in relation to their current standing, such as having their property stolen and at the same time striped of their dignity. On the other hand, harms of repression are occurrences whereby we experience a restriction or limitation that prevents them from realizing the standing or position they desire (58-59).
The “need for speed” as explained by Edgework is relevant to a conversation about crime in that it reflects the high risk adrenaline rush behavior that normally premeditates crime.
The cultural underpinnings or dimensions to restorative justice include the symbolic interactionist tradition, collective responses to crime by the community, the labelling theory of victimization, the image, and cultural representation of crime.
The concept of restorative justice is the emphasis on harm reparation that involves taking steps to repair harm caused by criminal behavior, involving the offender, victim and the community in solving the crime, and developing relationships in solving crime. It aims at using non-adversarial means or process to bring together all those affected by the criminal act in a bid to promote accountability and meet the victims’ needs t for reparation of harms resulting from the crime. The main problem s associated with this approach to criminal justice is that it lacks the deterrent effect and the inability to reduce or prevent recidivism among ex-offenders.
Works Cited
Bohm, Robert M and Brenda L Vogel. "Postmodern criminology." Bohm, Robert M and Brenda L Vogel. A primer on crime and delinquency theory. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2010. 134-140. Print.
Henry, Stuart and Dragan Milovanovic. Constitutive criminology: Beyond postmodernism. London: Sage Publishers, 1996. Print.
Lanier, Mark M, Stuart Henry and Desire J M Anastasia. Essential criminology. New York: Westview Press, 2014. Print.
