CRIME AND DEVIANCE - Neo-Marxism - Brake, Gilroy, Taylor; Walton; Young

Question 1

What is ‘Neo-Marxism’ and what does it suggest about Historic Marxism?

Answer 1

It stands for ‘New Marxism’ and it suggests that Historical Marxism is too deterministic in its explanation of society (in this case, crime) and that it does not look into other factors (such as ethnicity and gender).

They look at the meaning and the interactions, as well as the structure of society!

Question 2

What do Neo-Marxists say about committing crime? HINT: CHOICE!

Answer 2

They say that people CHOOSE to commit crime and that it is a VOLUNTARY ACT!

Question 3

In what 3 ways are Neo-Marxism and Marxism SIMILAR in their perspective on crime in society?

Answer 3

1. They both believe that CAPITALISM IS EXPLOITATIVE and based on conflict!
2. They both believe that there is SELECTIVE CREATION and ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW by the state!
3. They also both believe that CRIME WOULD BE REDUCED IN A CLASSLESS SOCIETY (as there would be no class conflict)

Question 4

What 4 things do Neo-Marxists believe that is DIFFERENT from Marxism, in regards to crime?

Answer 4

Neo-Marxists believe that:

1. Crime is a MEANINGFUL and SYMBOLIC WAY OF ACTION
2. Crime is POLITICALLY MOTIVATED TO ADDRESS INEQUALITY
3. Criminals are NOT MERE PUPPETS OF CAPITALISM
4. People HAVE FREE WILL

Question 5

TRUE OR FALSE: A group of MARXISTS at Birmingham University were a part of the Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies (CCCS) and looked into crime and deviance in society.

Answer 5

FALSE - It was a group of NEO-MARXISTS!

Question 6

(CENTRE FOR CONTEMPORARY CULTURAL STUDIES –> CCCS) What 2 ways did they identify into how capitalism controls the majority of the population?

Answer 6

1. Ideological dominance through the MEDIA
2. ECONOMIC PRESSURES - People want to keep their jobs and pay their mortgages (now people are entrepreneurs or are self-employed, so do not rely on the government or their employer for a job)

Question 7

(CENTRE FOR CONTEMPORARY CULTURAL STUDIES –> CCCS) What did they identify in relation to the control of capitalism today in comparison to the past? HINT: FREE WILL!

Answer 7

They identified that capitalism does NOT have the same control that it once did; people are NOT just mere puppets to the system! People have a lot more control (free will / agency) then they once did, so they can rebel against the system (symbolic resistance / violence to capitalism)

Question 8

What sociologist looked into Resistance to Capitalism?

Answer 8

Brake (1980)!

Question 9

(BRAKE) What did Brake identify about Resistance to Capitalism?

Answer 9

He found that resistance to ruling-class oppression is expressed through WORKING-CLASS, YOUTH SUBCULTURES –> This can be expressed by the way they dress, they way they speak and what type of music they listen to, in order to show their DISDAIN at the system!

Question 10

(BRAKE) What example did Brake refer to in terms of working-class, youth subcultures resisting ruling-class oppression?

Answer 10

The ‘Mods and Rockers’ in the 60s and the Decline in Deference / attacks on the Establishment (Spitting Image)!

Question 11

(BRAKE) What did he say about the patterns of resistance, in comparison to early generations? HINT: What do they all eventually do after they resist for a bit?

Answer 11

He said that each generation expresses their hatred in different ways, BUT they are all still trapped in the system, just like their parents were –> They eventually conform to society, just like their parents, after the resist for a bit.

Question 12

(BRAKE) What did he mean by ‘Magical Resistance’?

Answer 12

It is an illusion that resistance will solve all of their problems, however, those who resist the system continue to be motivated just the same!

Question 13

What sociologist’s study was titled ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ and links resistance to ethnic minority crime?

Answer 13

Paul Gilroy (1982)

Question 14

(GILROY) Explain what he identified in terms of crimes committed by ethnic minority people! HINT: Political response to oppression!

Answer 14

He investigated some young, West Indians and found out that the crimes they committed were a political response to a racist society and the oppression they faced!

Question 15

(GILROY) TRUE OR FALSE: Gilroy found that crimes committed by ethnic minority people are due to POOR SOCIALISATION and CRIMINAL SUBCULTURES!

Answer 15

FALSE - Gilroy found that crimes committed by ethnic minority people (particularly ‘black youths’) are committed as a POLITICAL RESPONSE TO the RACIST SOCIETY THAT OPPRESSES them = This goes against the image that the media reinforces that ‘black youths’ commit crimes due to poor socialisation / being in gangs (having a criminal subculture)!

Question 16

(GILROY) In terms of Britain’s imperial history, what does he note in relation to symbolic resistance?

Answer 16

Gilroy notes that, when black immigrants are brought to Britain, they come with the ideas that focus on imperialism and the oppression used in the colonies –> “ex-colonials still bear the scars of imperialist violence”!

Question 17

(GILROY) What reason does Gilroy give to explain why ‘black youths’ are still in conflict with their white oppressors in modern Britain? HINT: History!

Answer 17

He says that it is part of their legacy, due to history!

He says that ‘black youths’ feels like they need to ‘win space’ in order to combat racism –> Rebellion and deviance are forms of symbolic resistance! EG: Brixton Race Riots!

Question 18

(GILROY) What is symbolic resistance?

Answer 18

Fighting back against the capitalist system –> EG: The rebellion and deviance of ‘black youths’, in response to the racism and oppression they face!

Question 19

(GILROY) TRUE OR FALSE: Gilroy says that ‘black criminality IS a myth’!

Answer 19

TRUE - He claims that ‘black youths’ are no more prone to committing crimes than anyone else in society!

Question 20

(GILROY) Explain what happened during the ‘mugging scare’ in the 1970s and how this negatively impacted ethnic minorities!

Answer 20

During the ‘mugging scare’ in the 70s, people demanded the police clamp down on mugging! However, this led to over-policing, especially of ethnic-minority groups, who faced harassment from the police via selective policing and racial biases!

There were racist ‘sus laws’ in place; this is where the police could conduct random ‘stop and searches’, but this heavily targeted ethnic-minority people –> This is still impacting society today,as seen by the disproportionate numbers in ‘stop and search’ figures = (This links to moral panic and institutional racism).

Question 21

What 3 sociologists look at the behaviour, interactions, meaning and impact of criminal acts, rather than just looking at the economy and the exploitation of class conflict?

Answer 21

Taylor, Walton and Young (1973)

Question 22

(TAYLOR, WALTON + YOUNG) How many different factors did they identify?

Answer 22

7!

Question 23

(TAYLOR, WALTON + YOUNG) List the 7 factors they identified? HINT: Don’t worry if you cannot remember them all; try and remember a few, if you can!

Answer 23

• The WIDER ORIGINS of the deviant act
• The IMMEDIATE ORIGINS of the deviant act
• The ACTUAL ACT itself
• The IMMEDIATE SOCIAL REACTION
• The WIDER SOCIAL REACTION
• The OUTCOME ON THE DEVIANT

Question 24

(TAYLOR, WALTON + YOUNG) Explain the WIDER ORIGINS of the deviant act + Give an example!

Answer 24

The wider context of society, such as if there is a war or economic crises happening!

Question 25

(TAYLOR, WALTON + YOUNG) Explain the IMMEDIATE ORIGINS of the deviant act + Give an example!

Answer 25

The specific situation that impacts the offender, such as unemployment rising or police racism!

Question 26

(TAYLOR, WALTON + YOUNG) Explain the ACTUAL ACT of the deviant act + Give an example!

Answer 26

What act the offender commits, such as robbing a bank or assault!

Also, why they committed that act, such as to rebel or to fund a drug addiction!

Question 27

(TAYLOR, WALTON + YOUNG) Explain the IMMEDIATE SOCIAL REACTION of the deviant act + Give an example!

Answer 27

How do people react to the act, such as does it make the news or does no one know about it?

Question 28

(TAYLOR, WALTON + YOUNG) Explain the WIDER SOCIAL REACTION of the deviant act + Give an example!

Answer 28

The impact the act has on wider society, such as does it lead to the law changing (as seen with the 7/7 bombings) or does it make the news for weeks afterwards!

Question 29

(TAYLOR, WALTON + YOUNG) Explain the OUTCOME ON THE DEVIANT of the deviant act + Give an example!

Answer 29

What the deviant does afterwards, like do they go to prison, are they negatively labelled (which may cause them to reoffend) or do they manage to rehabilitate themselves!

Question 30

Give a summary of Neo-Marxism and their more developed approach to crime and deviance. HINT: There are around 5 bullet points here, but say as much as you can!

Answer 30

• They look at the MEANING and INTERPRETATIONS of CRIME
• They say that crime is a VOLUNTARY ACT
• They say that crime is a MEANINGFUL ACT (EG: An ACT of RESISTANCE)
• Crime shows ‘SYMBOLIC RESISTANCE’ - Fighting back
• WORKING-CLASS CRIMINALS are ‘ROBIN HOOD’ FIGURES

Question 31

What are the evaluating points of Neo-Marxism? HINT: There are 3 points here, but give as many as you can!

Answer 31

• NOT ALL CRIMES HAVE A POLITICAL MOTIVATION (EG: Domestic violence and rape)
• Crime is OPPORTUNISTIC, NOT A REACTION TO INJUSTICE (EG: Non-utilitarian crimes) –> People see an OPPORTUNITY to commit a crime and they seize the opportunity!
• ROCK (1988) = They say that looking at working-class criminals like ‘ROBIN HOOD’ figures who are fighting against capitalism is ‘TOO ROMANTIC’ –> It is important to remember that crimes have real victims and people suffer fromcrime (also, working-class people are more likely to be the victims of these crimes than the ruling-class are) –> Neo-Marxism sees crime in a ‘ROMANTIC’ WAY!