ABSTRACT
The introduction outlines the themes and structure of the book. Written from a critical perspective, its aim is to present the core theories of criminology as historical and cultural products and theorists as producers of culture located in particular places, writing in specific historical periods and situated in precise intellectual networks and philosophical controversies. It explains why theory is necessary, as well as the need to understand how and why ideas emerge at specific points in time, why they gained currency, whether they are indicative of the interests of a particular social group and the influence that they have had. As a largely policy-oriented discipline the theoretical origins of criminology have and continue to have a tremendous impact on the treatment of those labelled as ‘criminals’.
