Reconstructing Socialist Criminology

Abstract

It should be apparent from the emphasis I placed on the populist appeal of the radical Right that I believe the reconstruction of socialist social policy generally must in large part arise out of practice. That is to say, I do not believe that many people will be, or can be, thrust into action against Thatcherism as a result of abstract theoretical work — for example into the nature of ‘law’, ‘the state’ or even ‘patriarchy’. People are likely to deal with these questions in a vigorous and effective manner the more that they are directly affected and angered by the operation of the state (through the social security system, the police, or the courts), by institutionalised racism or sexism, or by unemployment.