Question

what does it mean to say that traditional theories of crime need to be "deconstructed"? What role does deconstructionist thinking play in postmodern criminology?

Answer 1

Deconstruction is a turn in the way we understand a phenomenon with modern concepts. Since many of the older concepts and theories have limitations deconstruction is necessary. In the case of traditional theories of crime, it means taking much older theories and turning them into ideas that fit our contemporary ideas today in the government and justice system. Deconstructionist thinking calls for a critical examination of the role play by languages such as the meanings and the construction of the language of crimes, activities, and actions associated with criminology. By taking into consideration of the problematic conceptualization of crimes, deconstructionist thinking helps Postmodern criminology in bringing a critically-animated theoretical framework that humanistically accounts for the problems of crime. With this turn, it has created the possibilities of justice at the self and society divide.