Class, Power And Crime

Question 1

Theorists reasons for crime

Answer 1

Functionalist- inadequate socialisation
Strain theory- denied opportunity- innovation
Subcultural theories- no opportunity, frustrations, 3 subcultures
Labelling- role of law enforcement agencies, label wc as criminal

Question 2

Marxism, class and crime

Answer 2

Law is enforced against working class, statistics flawed
Society- economic base that determines super structure
Serves ruling class interests

Question 3

Criminogenic capitalism

Answer 3

It’s nature causes crime.
Poverty- only way to survive
Only way to obtain consumer goods
Alienation- frustration and aggression- non Ulitarian crime.

Question 4

Ruling class crime

Answer 4

Competitor encourages capitalists to commit corporate crime. Eg tax evasion
Gordon - crime is a rational response to capitalism for all classes.

Question 5

State and law making

Answer 5

Serve interests of ruling class
Chambliss- laws to protect private property are the basis of capitalism
Power to prevent laws harmful to their interests

Question 6

Selective enforcement

Answer 6

Reiman- crimes of the powerful, less likely to be treated as an offence/ prosecuted
High prosecution rate of the poor

Question 7

Ideological functions

Answer 7

Some laws benefit workers eg health and safety, creates. False consciences due to caring face
Selective enforcement divides the working class into thinking it is their own fault.
Distorts crime statistics

Question 8

Neo-Marxism- critical criminology

Answer 8

Voluntarism - crime is a conscious choice with motive, deliberately trying to change society.
Taylor et al- aim to create a fully social theory of deviance based on unequal wealth and labelling theory

Question 9

Crimes of the powerful , abuse of trust

Answer 9

White collar crime- Sutherland, different types-
Occupational- employee towards company
Corporate - committed for companies benefit
Financial eg tax evasion
Crimes against consumers- faulty goods
Crimes against employees- breaking health and safety
Environment- toxic waste dumping

Abuse of trust- eg accountants- tax fraud. Greater threat to society than working class, undermines key institutions and values of society

Question 10

Invisibility of corporate crime

Answer 10

Lack of media coverage
Lack of political will
Cc is complex- police under resourced
De labelling offences and charging penalties
Under reporting- victims may be unaware

Question 11

Explanations of corporate crime

Answer 11

Strain theory- if not maximising profit legitimately, will turn to illegitimate methods
Differential acsossiation- socially learned behaviour, employees think its ok
Labelling - act only deviant if it is labelled that way
Marxism- resulting from normal functioning of capitalism.