Does the Marxist perspective hold any significance for contemporary American society? Why?
The Marxist perspective views social change on the socio-political and economic aspects of philosophy as being a result of economic factors. The means of production is the central tenet that determines a nation’s political life. Marx viewed capitalism as a class structure that would soon come to be outdated following revolution (socialism) rather than modification and this ideology forms the foundation for communism. The answer to the above question is NO. This is because the ideology does not seem applicable on a national scale. Furthermore, capitalism is so embedded on American’s conscience that it would be difficult to revolutionize against it. Our present economy is also devastated by the process of slowly heading towards socialism.Does the radical-critical perspective hold any significance for contemporary American society? Why?
The radical perspective questions the most fundamental assumptions of the society. The process begins with radical social work and slowly transcends towards the critical approach in that both theories result to the proposal that social work should aim at the way society creates social problems. The theory is significant in the contemporary society because of the sparks of interest and controversy following upcoming societal developments and the need to articulate the connections of socio-political, economic and cultural dimensions. Does the peacemaking perspective hold any significance for contemporary American society? Why?
The peacemaking perspective is the availability of rational and structural justice that enables personal and social wellbeing. Though it may not be attainable in all conflict situations, it implies the use of constructive and cooperative processes to resolve conflicts while maintaining relationships. Peace can either be negative whereby conflict is suppressed rather than resolved or positive whereby conflict is resolved through reconciliation and restoration. The contemporary world is characterized by conflict either across borders or between communities hence the need to employ positive peace making. A point of mutual interaction and understanding has to be sought as the best alternative to resolve conflict and allow for social, economic and political development.How would feminists change the study of crime?
The feminist perspective would change the study of crime following the challenges they have put across of the theories, concepts, assumptions and methodology of the persons already involved in crime studies for the past three decades. Criminology has therefor been an area of interest for feminist researchers and writers resulting to positive progress in trying to manage the consequences of crime. For example, it was assumed that criminals were male but current reports reveal that women are also involved in crime leading to about 27% of them being in prison for different offences such as robbery, violence, fraud and drug related.
How would convict criminology change the study of crime?
Convict criminology involves the advocacy of the unique challenges of advocates, convicts, legislators, communities and all stakeholders as they deal with the difficulty of detention, reentry and rehabilitation. Convict criminology can change the study of crime by understanding the situation that led to an individual committing any given crime, what changes they went though and what lessons they can give their counterparts debating to commit crime. The rate of crime can be reduced if the community accepts convicts and they also utilize the knowledge they have about the criminal system and offer positive avenues of going through life.What does it mean to say that traditional theories of crime need to be "deconstructed"? What role does deconstructionist thinking play in postmodern criminology?
Traditional theories of crime need to be deconstructed implies that the process of coming up with the theory has to be systematically divided into single steps and each analyzed individually. In postmodern criminology, deconstructionist thinking plays the role of revealing that which is suppressed and hidden by the criminological discourse. The theory is appealing to radical critics of traditional criminology citing feminists who seek to reveal that which is suppressed in male discourse of criminality.
