Class, Power And Crime

Question 1

In a nutshell

Answer 1

Marxists believe crime is inevitable in a capitalist society as it encourages poverty, competition and greed. All classes commit crime, but w/c are largely criminalised for their actions as the ruling class control the state and can make and enforce laws in their own interests.

Question 2

Marxism

Answer 2

Criminogenic capitalism- capitalism causes crime. Poverty may mean that crime is the only way the
w/c can survive.
The state and law making- chambliss state the laws to protect private property are a cornerstone of the capitalist economy. Snider argues the capitalist state is reluctant to pass laws that regulate the activities of business or threaten their profitability

Question 3

Marxism 2

Answer 3

Selective enforcement- believe when it comes to application of the law by the criminal justice system, there is selective enforcement.
Ideological function- Pearce theorises that laws give capitalism a ‘caring’ face and create false consciousness among workers.

Question 4

Neo-Marxism

Answer 4

Taylor et al criticise Marxists for economic determinism and instead see crime as meaningful action and a conscious choice by the actor. In particular, they argue that crime often has a political motive.

Question 5

White collar & corporate crime

Answer 5

Riemann and Leighton argue that the more likely a crime is to be committed by high-class people, the less likely it is to be treated an offence. Tombs notes that corporate crime has enormous costs: physical, environmental and economic.

Question 6

Explanations of corporate crime

Answer 6

Box argues that if a company cannot achieve its goal of maximising profit by legal means, it may employ illegal ones instead.
Labelling theory- Cicourel argues that typically, the working class are more likely to have their actions labelled as criminal. The m/c are more able to negotiate non-criminal labels for their misbehaviour