Realist Criminology

The left realist approach to criminology has changed significantly over the past twenty years and continues to make an important contribution to the theoretical study of crime, as well as issues such as crime prevention, policing, prisons, and community safety. As one of the pioneers of realist criminology, Roger Matthews presents a coherent overview of its development and continued relevance.

Matthews offers a comprehensive critique of liberal and administrative criminology, an exploration of the relation between Cultural Criminology and Realist Criminology and a further critique of some of the major themes in the criminological literature.