C&D- MARXIST THEORIES ON CRIME Flashcards
What is Traditional Marxism’s view on crime?
Traditional Marxists argue that crime is linked to the structure of society and to capitalism. Society’s infrastructure determines its superstructure, which includes the state and criminal justice system (CJS). These institutions serve the ruling class’ interests and maintain capitalism. Crime and deviance arise from the inequalities inherent in capitalism.
How does the ruling class influence what constitutes crime and deviance?
The ruling class controls what is defined as crime and deviance through their control of the legislative process. Crimes committed by the powerful are less severely dealt with than crimes committed by the deprived working class.
What is the Marxist view on law enforcement?
Marxists believe the law is disproportionately enforced against the working class, which is why the official crime statistics (OCS) are inaccurate. The police and law enforcement act on behalf of the ruling class to protect their privileged position.
What causes crime in a capitalist society?
Capitalism is criminogenic—it causes crime by its very nature. Chambliss argues that capitalism fosters greed, self-interest, and hostility, leading to crime across all levels of society. For example, the working class commits street crimes, while the ruling class commits white-collar crimes, like fraud.
Why does the working class commit crime?
Capitalism exploits the working class, which may lead them into crime. Poverty forces people into utilitarian crimes for survival. Capitalism also promotes consumerism and materialism, encouraging people to commit crimes to obtain goods that are advertised and desired. Alienation and exploitation of the working class lead to frustration, which can result in aggression and non-utilitarian crimes, such as vandalism.
Why does the ruling class commit crime?
The ruling class breaks the law because capitalism encourages a “dog-eat-dog” competition. This leads to white-collar crimes such as tax evasion and breaches of corporate regulations. Snider argues that these crimes cost society more, with corporate crime losses being 20 times greater than street crime.
What is the purpose of the law in capitalist society?
The law serves the interests of the ruling class. The ruling class can use their influence to direct which laws are passed and which are blocked. Most laws focus on protecting private property, while laws protecting workers’ rights are rarely introduced.
How is law enforcement selective in capitalist society?
Reiman argues that the law is selectively enforced by the criminal justice system. The police tend to target working-class crimes while ignoring the crimes of the powerful. This selective enforcement makes crime appear to be a working-class issue and distracts from the real cause of suffering—capitalism.
What are the consequences of selective law enforcement?
Selective law enforcement helps maintain false class consciousness. For example, occasional prosecution of ruling-class offenders reinforces the idea that the law and CJS are fair. Laws that seem to benefit the working class, like health and safety laws, are often designed to benefit the ruling class by keeping workers fit for work.
What are some statistics related to Benefit Fraud and Tax Evasion?
Benefit Fraud (Working-Class Crime)
Costs approximately £500 million per year.
Prosecutions per year: around 14,000.
Tax Evasion (White-Collar/Middle-Class Crime)
Costs approximately £5000 million per year.
Prosecutions per year: around 20.
What are the strengths of Traditional Marxist theory on crime?
It explains crime through broader structural factors.
It accounts for both utilitarian and non-utilitarian crimes.
It explains both working-class and white-collar crime.
It recognizes the ideological function of the law, showing how it serves the interests of the powerful.
What are the weaknesses of Traditional Marxist theory on crime?
Marxist theories tend to be deterministic, implying that individuals are controlled by external forces and lack free will.
It doesn’t fully explain why many working-class people do not commit crime.
It seems implausible to explain all laws in terms of the interests of the ruling elite, as many laws appear to benefit vulnerable groups.
Crime rates were high in former communist states, so communism didn’t eradicate crime.
Not all capitalist societies have high crime rates, e.g. Japan.
What are the three functions of crime and the law in Marxist theory?
aw Creation
The state, as an agent of the ruling class, defines criminal activities to serve their interests. Most laws protect private property, and worker exploitation is often overlooked (e.g., dangerous work conditions). Anti-union laws are used to control the workforce.
Law Enforcement
Law is selectively enforced, with greater focus on working-class crimes. Corporate manslaughter charges are rarely pursued despite catastrophic industrial accidents. The police focus on working-class areas, and differential sentencing is biased. Occasionally, rich and powerful people are prosecuted to maintain the illusion of a fair legal system. Anti-trade union laws are strictly enforced.
Ideological Function
Through socialization, people come to accept the capitalist system’s values. Crime is largely seen as a working-class issue, distracting from the costlier white-collar crime. Selective law enforcement turns working-class people against each other, preventing them from recognizing the true source of their suffering—capitalism. Occasionally, laws are passed that appear to benefit the working class, such as health and safety laws, but they ultimately serve the interests of the ruling class, such as ensuring workers remain fit to work.
