ABSTRACT
Radical criminology examines how forms of inequality, oppression, and conflict affect crime and law. The term "radical criminology" has been in existence for thirty years, though its definition has varied somewhat during this period. Radical criminology addresses crime and justice issues from the perspective of political economy. This view is highly influenced by radical economic theories that describe how economic structures influence the social organization of society. Over the past fifteen years, radical criminologists have produced numerous empirical studies, though the number of these studies cannot be considered large when compared to the number produced in other areas of criminological research. Critical criminologists also bear some responsibility for perpetuating this invalid criticism concerning the lack of empirical testing of radical theory. The existence of crime in socialist nations has also been a powerful, yet misguided, criticism of radical criminology. Such a criticism misinterprets the premises of radical criminology.
