OK then, here goes.
Radical Criminology: Developed by Taylor and a reaction to the Classical Marxist approach
This approach was part of the school of thought which influenced Willis, and combined interactionist and structuralist theories (using concepts like deviance amplification, labelling, as well as exploitation and class division).
Hall - Policing the Crisis. Mugging.
1. The relationship between class divisions in Capitalism and deviance.
(Think in terms of the history of Afro-Caribbeans, how they settled in the UK)
Street crime is a survival strategy for many people. First generation migrants found low paid unemployment, accepting '**** work' and 'slave labour'. Later generations, however, are less likely to accept their disadvantaged positions. (Similar to relative deprivation) They wanted material goods and money, but couldn't achieve them legitimately, so turned to street crime.
2. The response of others
Hall argues that the media created a moral panic about mugging. By focusing on stories about mugging, they created an impression of black youths as criminal and lawless. Mugging was not new and it wasn't increasing!
3. Labelling (interesting bit)
Capitalism was in crisis in the 1970s with rising rates of unemployment, industrial militancy and terrorism, in Northern Ireland. The state responded to this threat to authority by focusing its attention on black muggers as a real threat to social order. They were used as scapegoats.
4. Effects of Labelling
In a response to this moral panic, the police targeted black youths in particular. This led to increased use of stop and search methods. Obviously black youths reacted angrily towards this, and often responded with violence or verbal abuse, thus resulting in further offences. A vicious cycle.
This then led to deviancy amplification and a justification of stronger police measures.
So there you have it.
Radical Criminology looks at the 'problem' of mugging from various levels - from society as a whole, down to the individual's point of view. It gives us a fully social theory of deviance.
But then again, it's a conspiracy theory, and far fetched. Sorry Stuart.