Labeling approach und Abolitionismus

Abstract

Es wird nach der Beziehung gefragt, in der neue kriminalpolitische Strömungen zum labeling approach stehen. Für den Neoklassizismus wird festgestellt, daß er die grundlegenden Erkenntnisse des Definitionsansatzes ignoriert. Die Position des Abolitionismus wird demgegenüber als stringente kriminalpolitische Umsetzung von Einsichten des labeling approach dargestellt.

The article specifies the relations between labeling approach and neo-classicism as well as abolitionism. Neoclassicism seems to ignore the essential insight of labeling theory that the definition of crime is never a priori given but in generala negotiated product. The politics of abolition on the other side seems to be a consequent application ofthe critique formulated by labeling theorists, thatis: if the criminal process is dominated by various forms of selections and the use of discretion then only abolition of structures of the penal system may restrict this realm of discretion.