Politics UK

Eleventh Edition

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Chapter 23

The politics of law and order

Chapter Summary

Conservative thinkers have tended to base their law and order policies on a pessimistic view of human nature, while Labour has tended to be more optimistic. However, both views began to converge in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Crime figures suggest a crime wave, but there are many qualifications to bear in mind. It is doubtful whether the Conservatives substantially reversed the crime wave in the early 1990s. It seems likely that crime breeds in poor, rundown areas of big cities. Police attempts to control crime have not been very successful and have received much criticism, even from the Conservatives. Tougher prison sentences are favoured by the Conservatives, but experience suggests that this is no real answer.

The Home Office is the department in charge of the security services, although it has transferred constitutional responsibilities to the Lord Chancellor’s Department. The 2000 and 2005 Terrorism Acts offended those concerned with the defence of human rights though polls show considerable support for tough laws against terrorism and terrorists.

Learning Objectives

  • To explain the connection between political ideas and the problem of law and order.
  • To consider the causes of crime and its profile as a political issue.
  • To examine some related issues like penal policy and prisons.
  • To explain and analyse the secret security services.

Quizzes

Test your knowledge with the Chapter 23 quizzes!

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Discussion Questions

  1. Research has shown that economic inequality is strongly correlated with crime rates. To what extent should crime prevention strategies focus on economic and social reform rather than punishment?
  2. The UK has some of the highest incarceration rates in Europe, yet many argue that prison sentences fail to rehabilitate offenders. Should the UK prioritise alternative sentencing methods over imprisonment, or does a “tough-on-crime” approach remain necessary?

Home Office – The UK government department responsible for immigration, policing, and security. (www.homeoffice.gov.uk)

HM Prison Service – The agency managing prisons in England and Wales. (www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk)

Police UK – A public resource providing information on policing and crime statistics. (www.police.uk)

Flashcards

Refresh your knowledge of key terms with this chapter’s flashcards.

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