Without plpace, is it real?

Abstract

This article reviews Matthews' (2014) Realist Criminology as an opportunity to address large shortcomings within critical criminology, which is the failure to develop an alternative theor of crime and place to the mainstream theories of social disorganisation and collectiv efficacy. It uses rural criminological work related to violence against women and substanc use, production and trafficking to illustrate the importance of place for development of realist criminology that can consider localised expressions of power and inequality, and th multiplicity of networks and roles by which people can simultaneously be involved in bot conforming and deviant/criminal behaviours. The article also suggests that a critical theor of crime and place would be useful to the synthesis and re-interpretation of criminologica literature that is either theory-less or lacks a critical perspective.