IDEOLOGY HANDOUT (#2)


We have already given one handout on ideology,  so check to make sure
that you have it,  then go over lecture notes and this handout to see
how it ties in.

We defined IDEOLOGY as a set of ideas or beliefs that are inextricably
linked to  a particular socio-historical situation.    Supporters or
adherents of these ideological ideas remain ignorant of this linkage.

A.  CONSERVATIVE:

The conservative position  begins with the basic  assumption that the
goal of corrections is the protection of SOCIAL ORDER.

   1.  Necessity for maintaining social order
   2.  tendency to preserve existing social  institutions and to favor
       gradual rather than abrupt change
   3.  Existing social  arrangements and  practices are  seen as  a
       reflection of public sentiments, morality, etc
   4.  tampering with social arrangements is inherently risky
   5.  Conservatives have little faith in  government ability to solve
       problems through social planning

From this,   we can  identify some  specific notions  specific to
corrections:

   1.  Worry less about rights of  offenders and more about protecting
       social welfare.
   2.  Sanctions should be based on nature  of offense rather than on
       considerations of  what would constitute the  most appropriate
       treatment for the offender.
   3.  Judges  have  abused  discretion  by  coddling  criminals;
       legislators should therefore fix the exact amount of punishment
       each crime deserves.
          Mention 1977 Illinois Crim
          Code Revision, class x, determ. sent, etc
   4.  All sentences should be determinate
   5.  Parole release would be abolished
   6.  Use of incarceration should be expanded
   7.  Attempt  should be  made  to  selectively incapacitate  for
       prolonged periods the most chronic  offenders (8 % responsible
       for over 60% of the crime).

B.   LIBERAL/PLURALISM  Liberal assumption  begins from  RIGHTS OF
INDIVIDUAL, DUE PROCESS (note--this is called "due process model), and
they currently advocate individual treatment/rehabiliation.

   1.  Tend to see conflict, not consensus,  as a framework of society
       and corrections
   2.  Liberals see political arena as one in which political struggle
       occurs
   3.  Liberals adhere to piecemeal approach to policy change/reform
   4.  Rarely examine wider social context or history of problems
   5.  Tends to be humanitarian

Relevance to corrections:

   1.  Stresses rehabilitation over control/punishment
   2.  Emphasizes  treating the  individual  offender rather  than
       punishment
   3.  Public and  legislatures should  be involved  in correctional
       policy,   because administrators  are  "managers" and  not
       "professional therapists" (ie, the "Professional" model
   4.  Tends to opt for research  and involvement of social scientists
       to help shape policy, rather than to leave prisons alone
   5.  Used to argue for indeterminant  sentencing,  now,  most join
       conservatives in determinant sentencing preference.

NOTE  HERE  SIMILARITY  BETWEEN LIBERALS  AND  CONSERVATIVES  in
contemporary corrections philosophy.  This convergence has facilitated
sentencing reform and other policies on which both agree,  responding
to "public mood."

C.   RADICAL/ELITIST (note  ambiguity of this term,  as  well as of
"liberal/pluralist)

   1.  Examines POLITICAL ECONOMY as fundamental unit of analysis (ie,
       takes an explicitely STRUCTRUAL APPROACH)
   2.  Rejects assumptions (basic to  liberalism)  that the political
       process affords ALL groups the  opportunity to participate and
       make needs known
   3.  Usually  takes  elitism/liberalism as  starting  point  for
       criticism (explain that this is  because of many similarities,
       so they distinguish/distance themselves from liberals).
   4.  Must change social  system itself,  can't just  reform a few
       parts.

CRITICISMS OF EACH:

A. Criticisms of Radicals by liberals (and conservatives):

   1.  Exaggerates degree to which CJ system discriminates against the
       underclass Radicals  overemphasize power and  deemphasize the
       consensus on laws in the US
   2.  Often polemical with no analysis, but changing (and modifying)
   3.  No realistic  plan for action  There is general  consensus on
       punishment of crimes (ie,  most severe on those crimes that the
       public is most concerned about)
   4.  Politically, it's possible to work for reform,  NOT ONLY wider
       social change
   5.  Ignores extend to which correctional policies are a response to
       other factors than "class" etc  (e.g.,  increase in volume of
       crime, white collar crime, etc)

B. Radical response to liberalism:

   1.  Conservatives and  Liberals fail to appreciate  substance and
       gravity of correctional problems (ie, too close toit)
   2.  Conservatives and  Liberals tend  to be  technocratic toward
       solutions to correctional problems
   3.  They tend to ignore historical  and comparative analysis (note
       that this is NOT inherent in their position,  however,  but in
       their practice)
   4.  They are too elitist in their approach,  and over-emphasize the
       role of expert.