Critical Approaches to Gangs

Schwarze, T. and Fraser, A. (2024) Critical Approaches to Gangs. In: Pyrooz, D. C., Densley, J. and Leverso, J. (eds.) The Oxford Handbook of Gangs and Society. Oxford University Press, pp. 269-286. ISBN 9780197618158 (doi: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780197618158.013.25)

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of how critical approaches have contributed to criminological research on gangs. Besides discussing the intellectual history of critical approaches to gang research, this chapter explores the relationship between gangs and politics and foregrounds how critical gang studies have been attentive to questions of power, racism, and inequality when researching gangs. Critical gang scholars view gangs as the product of specific historical contexts that are shaped by socioeconomic, cultural, and political currents over time. The chapter concludes with a brief reflection on critique and how critical approaches can contribute to criminological thought on gangs in the future.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Additional Information: eISBN: 9780197618189.
• Keywords: Critical gang studies, gangs and politics, racism, criminalization of gangs, globalization and gangs.
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Schwarze, Dr Tilman and Fraser, Professor Alistair
• Authors: Schwarze, T., and Fraser, A.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Sociology Anthropology and Applied Social Sciences
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• ISBN: 9780197618158