This book seeks to bring understanding of both complexity and temporality into criminology. It outlines why these are important in criminological models of causation and explanation and explores them by drawing on theories and approaches in political science, comparative history, social theory and systems analyses. It discusses what is meant by complexity and introduces historical institutionalism (which is rarely used in criminology) to criminological audiences; it introduces what is known as 'why-because' analyses to the social sciences. This style of thinking is used to explore the causes of major transportation accidents (such as aeroplane or ferry disasters) and involves the integration of structural, organisational and agentic inputs in accounting for such disasters. Chapters on realistic evaluation, theories of structuration and agency, and research design and research methods are included with an example project based on the author's recent studies of Thatcherism which shows how these theories can be applied to empirical data. This book speaks to those interested in criminology, sociology, political science, research methods and the wider social sciences.

Argues that the current ontological framework within criminology limits our understanding of crime and the social world and seeks to broaden it Draws on theories and approaches in political science, comparative history, social theory and systems analyses Explores how these theories can be applied to empirical data Includes a glossary of key terms

Autorentext

Stephen Farrall is Research Chair in Criminology at the University of Derby, UK.

Inhalt

Introduction.- Chapter One: Recognising Complexity.- Chapter Two: Historical and Constructivist Institutionalisms.- Chapter Three: Why-Because Analyses.- Chapter Four: Realistic Evaluation.- Chapter Five: Where have All the People Gone? Theories of Structuration, Practice and Agency.- Chapter Six: Research Designs and Research Methods.- Chapter Seven: An Exemplar.- Chapter Eight: Concluding Observations.- Glossary.