ABSTRACT
Realist criminology and left idealism represent two major strands of critical criminology, sharing a number of features but also representing opposing stances. Viewing crime as a process of social construction means that what is defined as 'crime' changes over time and in different locations. Consequently, realists and left idealists argue for the deconstruction of the concept of crime and for its examination in relation to the context in which it is used: crime should be demystified; illusions and misconceptions regarding social processes should be removed; and the process of 'ideology critique' should be pursued to expose falsehoods, misconceptions and one-sided accounts. A central point of difference between realists and left idealists lies in their respective views on the nature of power and the state. From a generally conspiratorial perspective, there is a tendency among left idealists to reject all forms of law, to limit police powers and to campaign for the abolition of imprisonment.
