Has the Labour Government Since 1997 Been "Tough on Crime, Tough on the Causes of Crime?"

Has the Labour Government Since 1997 Been "Tough on Crime, Tough on the Causes of Crime?" The Labour government was swept to power in 1997 on a wave of policy slogans that captured the imagination of the British electorate. Amongst their most impressive policies was the promise to be "tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime." This was an interesting slogan for the time, taking the right-wing, traditionally Conservative policy of punishment for the perpetrators of crime ("tough on crime"), and combining it with the more left wing view that crime could be stopped by educating and reconditioning the potential (and actual) criminals ("tough on the causes of crime"). This combination of policies gave the party a wide appeal and aided their campaign greatly, but to what extent has this mixture of viewpoints actually been successful in the 7 years since of Labour's office? This essay will look at the Labour government's implementation of such an ambitious policy, and whether they have stayed true to their word or in fact veered more towards the left or right wing perspective on crime. Under the Conservative government previous to Labour, Michael Howard, the Home Secretary since 1993, had taken a tough stance on crime which he effectively summed up in the sound bite, "Prison works." This had led to the overcrowding of prisons and during this time there was an increase in crime,

  • Word count: 1141
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Sociology
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The Education Act of 1870.

The Education Act of 1870 Introduction During the 1830's two thirds of England's population could not even read or write. The majority had access to only unskilled work. There was a growing demand for people to be trained and able to specialise in various aspects advancing technology. The government seemed to be reluctant to intervene as Mr Davies Giddy claimed, in the House of Commons: "...Giving education to the labouring classes of the poor, it would, in effect, be found to be injurious to their moods and happiness; it would teach them to despise their lot in life, instead of making them good servants in agriculture and other laborious employments to which their rank in society had destined them." In spite of the apprehension of the Dissenters and the unwillingness of sections of the governing classes, the state was being forced, slowly, but surely to take more than a passive interest in the education structure of the country. The need to be able to read and write was the key factor to allow people to adapt to the changing world, and for the path of democracy to be barred no longer. In the early nineteenth-century upper and middle class children could be educated because their parents could provide the assets, whilst the lower class children earned their living in appalling conditions. There were schools such as dame's schools for lower class children, who had

  • Word count: 1048
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Sociology
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In What Ways Did Popular Culture and People’s Pastimes Divert the Working Class Away From Socialism?

IN WHAT WAYS DID POPULAR CULTURE AND PEOPLE'S PASTIMES DIVERT THE WORKING CLASS AWAY FROM SOCIALISM? Introduction A logical way to answer this question is to examine popular culture from the stance of the socialists themselves, who had their own views on how the popularity of the emerging leisure industry had a negative effect on the workers. Their general argument was that capitalism exploits its labourers and the leisure industry is just another form of capitalism. Not only the paying consumers were being exploited, but also the people employed by the leisure industry; the player on the pitch or the performer on the stage was no better off than the worker in the factory. The British socialist movements had only begun to emerge in the late 19th century, such as the Independent Labour Party and the Social Democratic Foundation, formed in the 1890's. This was at a time when commercial entertainment was booming, due to a combination of less working hours and more disposable income. Most major towns had football teams, for example, and music halls had become the entertainment of choice, keeping people occupied at least until the advent of cinema. Pubs were more popular than ever, and the ease of travel brought on by the development of railways meant that standardised holiday trips were sold as commodities. The entrepreneurs responsible for commercial entertainment in the mid

  • Word count: 1759
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Sociology
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A Critical Analysis of "Do Husbands contribute more to domestic tasks when their wives are working?"

Contents Introduction 2 Theoretical Context of the Study 2 Methodological Approach and Methods Used 2 Critical Analysis of Theoretical Context 3 Critical Analysis of Methodological Approach and Methods Used 3 Main Findings of the Study 5 Critical Annalysis of the Overall Findings 6 Conclusion 7 Bibliography 8 Introduction The study I am reviewing is "Do Husbands contribute more to domestic tasks when their wives are working?" This study has been researched and concluded by S. Bond. As the title suggests, this study tries to quantify the correlation between families where both partners work, compared to stay at home wives with working husbands. There have been numerous studies carried out in the area of conjugal roles in the home by sociologists such as Young & Wilmot, Oakley and Martin & Roberts. The writer uses information collected in the 'Social Trends Survey 1991' to ascertain if the new man role is still evident. Theoretical Context of the Study In this study the writer does not indicate which theoretical context he has used. I believe this study to be based upon the feminist approach, as he frequently makes reference to the roles of men and women. Specific references to the new man in the 1980's and how it did not last, displaying the stereotypical roles of male's and female's to be true.

  • Word count: 2162
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Sociology
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Victoria Climbie

Victoria Climbie died at 3.15pm on February 25th 2000. She died age 8 after severe physical abuse. Born on November 2nd 1991 in the Ivory Coast. When Victoria was seven she was sent to live in Paris with her aunt, Marie-Therese Kouao. They both flee France after false benefit claims. They arrive in London using false passport and claiming Victoria is called Anna. Kouao gets a job as hospital cleaner and they live in a hostel. Kouao meets Carl Manning on a bus and she moves into Carls flat in Tottenham by July. Within days Victoria suffers abuse at the hands of Manning. July 14th 1999 Victoria visits Central Middlesex hospital the daughter of the childminder suspects her of non-accidental injuries. Doctor believes Kouao's story that Victoria has been scratching scabies sores. Doctors alert social services as a precaution. Haringey social worker, Lisa Arthurworrey and PC Karen Jones are assigned to case. They cancel home visit after hearing scabies story. July 24th, back at the hospital with scalding to her head and face. Doctors immediately suspects it's deliberate but Kouao tell Pc Jones and Arthurworrey that she did but to stop her itching the scabies sores. August 6th Victoria is discharged - authorities believe Kouao's excuses and Victoria returns home with Kouao and Manning. October-January 2000 Manning forces Victoria to sleep in a bin liner in the bath every night.

  • Word count: 857
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Sociology
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"Show how the provision of education before 1833 depended upon personal wealth."

0TH February 2003 Rachel Glendenning 10A Education for all. "Show how the provision of education before 1833 depended upon personal wealth." Education before 1833 did depend upon personal wealth along with other factors, (fully explained later on.) Different classes of people attended different types of schools, and the costs that the schools charged would have a great impact on the types of people attending them. A governess would look after the wealthy children, and the boy's governess would be replaced by a tutor, until they were old enough to attend school. This tutor would teach Greek and Latin. But in order for the boys to be taught mathematics, and French a 'visiting master' must be hired. The girls, on the other hand, were taught 'accomplishments,' which included music, drawing and dancing. The women's role was to be elegant and to entertain as a wife, not to be educated and working outside of the home. This was where the education stopped for the females; though, the upper class young boys went on to attend a public school, such as the ones at Eton, Harrow and Winchester, which taught classics, such as Latin and Greek, classical History and sport. Though these schools were well known for bullying, including fagging, strict corporal punishments and really bad teaching. These types of schools were very inefficient, and many

  • Word count: 775
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Sociology
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Examine the ways in which the output of the mass media may be influenced by owners and journalists.

Examine the ways in which the output of the mass media may be influenced by owners and journalists. The mass media are organisations and forms of communication used by specialist social groups to convey messages to a large, socially mixed and widely dispersed audience, without any personal contacts. Those who control the programming and editorial content are strongly encouraged to deliver what the audience wants. Their jobs are to attract a large, desirable audience. Traditional Marxism would be in favour of the view that the media output is influenced by the owners. Traditional Marxist would say all historical societies contain basic contradictions, which means that they cannot survive forever in their exiting forms. These contradictions involve the exploitation of one social group by another. In capitalist society, employers exploit their employees. This creates fundamental conflict of interest between each social group, since one gain at the expense of another. In Marxism, there is a large believe in patterns and structures in society. This structure is based on conflict and is known as conflict structuralism. This view believes that ideologies are set by owners, and that the owners control the media. The owners - usually rich and successful, ruling class people benefit from capitalism, as the media help to promote a set of believes and values which are favoured

  • Word count: 1596
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Sociology
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Caderousse principal crime was to be an accomplice to Fernand and Danglars.

CADEROUSEE Crime: Gaspard Caderousse was originally one of Edmond Dantes best friends but he admitted that he envied his happiness for a short while. Caderousse principal crime was to be an accomplice to Fernand and Danglars, the two men who because of their jealousy wrote a false letter denouncing Dantes as a Bonapartist agent. Gaspard was a partner in the crime because as they where writing the denunciation letter in the tavern he was given many things to drink until he hardly knew what he was doing then the next day he was present when Dantes was arrested and was persuaded to remain silent and coward. But this was not the only coward act Caderousse he committed he continued doing disgraceful acts against people. After the Abbe Busoni visit he decided to sell the diamond he had been rewarded for his honest information, but when the jeweler came to pay him the forty-five thousand francs for the diamond he killed him in order to double his fortune to keep both the diamond and the money. Finally, the last crime he committed was against The Count of Monte Cristo. Caderousse entered the house that he believed to be inhabited, beaked open a writing desk and searched for another person belonging. While Caderousse was in the Counts house he attacked the false priest planning to kill him with a knife, but unfortunately for him the weapon bounced back instead of sinking in the

  • Word count: 1886
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Sociology
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What are some of the key messages and ideas presented in the novella, Fahrenheit 451

Fahrenheit 451 What are some of the key ideas and messages presented in the novel, Fahrenheit 451? Explain your answer with examples and quotations. Jacob Goering Jacob Goering February 21, 2005 What are some of the key messages and ideas presented in the novella, Fahrenheit 451? Explain your answer with detailed examples and quotations. Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 is a dystopian, science fiction novel, which is written through the perspective of Bradbury's protagonist, Guy Montag. Fahrenheit 451 was initially published in 1953; however it is set in the twenty fourth century in a conformist society, where literature is illegal. Throughout Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury conveys some very important messages and ideas. Among these are; censorship, the influence of technology, individual choice and the role of the individual in society, ruling by fear and totalitarianism, and the evolution of society. Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 forces us to envision a world that has been so thoroughly censored that firemen, such as Guy Montag no longer exist to fight fires (for all buildings are fireproof) but rather to start them and take part in censorship. In this world individuality and individual choice are lost. Appropriately named, Guy appeared from the start to be just like any other firefighter. He found it "a pleasure to burn (p.3)", and followed the dictations of his

  • Word count: 2014
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Sociology
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Identify & Discuss The Factors Which Will Influence A Researchers Choice Of Methods

Identify & Discuss The Factors Which Will Influence A Researchers Choice Of Methods When researchers decide to carry out investigations and studies, they must first decide how they are going obtain the accurate data, which they need to support their initial hypothesis and aim. Once the researcher has selected the topic, which they want to investigate, they need to choose the correct methods to collect their data. The choice of the methods they use depends on a number of factors. For example, there are practical considerations, in some cases participant observation or researcher participation may be a better way of investigating behaviour in gangs, than asking the members to fill out questionnaires and participate in interviews. On the other hand, interviews, questionnaires may be better used in other research topic circumstances, in which they provide important statistical data, from which general conclusions can be generalised from. Halfpenny (1984)1, suggests that there are, 'Two main research traditions or approaches to research with sociology". Firstly, there are Positivist researchers. These researchers, when deciding methods to use in their research use hard quantitative data, such as questionnaires and surveys, mainly using first hand primary data. They gather numerical data, for example questionnaires, which have several advantages. For example, questionnaires can

  • Word count: 1424
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Sociology
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