Criminogenic Capitalism Flashcards
What do Marxists argue that crime is inevitable?
Capitalism is criminogenic.
What does criminogenic capitalism mean?
By capitalism’s very nature, it causes crime.
What is capitalism based on?
The exploitation of the working class, which uses them as a means to an end, to gain profit.
How exploitation of the working class give rise to crime?
Poverty - crime is the only way they can survive.
Consumer goods - this is encouraged by capitalist advertising and crime may be the only way to obtain them, resulting in utilitarian crime such as theft.
Alienation and lack of control over their lives - leads to frustration and aggression, resulting in non-utilitarian crimes such as violence and vandalism.
Why is crime not confined to the working class?
Capitalism is a ‘dog eat dog’ system of ruthless competition among capitalists, while the profit motive encourages a mentality of greed and self-interests.
What does Gordon argue about crime?
It is a rational response to the capitalist system and hence it is found in all social classes, even though official statistics make it appear to be a largely working-class phenomenon.
How is the Marxist approach useful?
It shows the relationship between crime and capitalist society.
What is a disadvantage of Marxism?
Not all capitalist societies have high crime rates, e.g. the homicide rate in Japan and Switzerland in only a 5th of that in the US.
