Durkheim Eval & Dysfunctional Crime

Question 1

When is crime dysfunctional for society?

Answer 1

• crime only becomes a problem when it spirals out of control
• too much crime = anomie
• worst case scenario: total collapse of society

Question 2

Contemporary example of anomie (in Iraq) how did this effect the Iraqi society? (3)

Answer 2

• 2003, President Saddam Hussain was toppled from power by a revolution
• mass lootings of shops took place
• breakdown of social control made problems worse

Question 3

Why does Durkheim argue low crime rates are not necessarily a good thing?

Answer 3

• low rate of theft/burglary = people don’t have money and therefore don’t have a lot of stuff for others to steal
• high rate of theft = economy and society is good so people have things others can steal

Question 4

Positive evaluation regarding Durkheims arguments (2)

Answer 4

• provides a fresh, new perspective of crime
• praised for looking at crime in a positive way

Question 5

Negative evaluation for Durkheim : what does it NOT explain? (3)

Answer 5

• does explain individual criminality; why some do commit while others don’t?
• he takes a highly positivist approach in examining on a larger scale
• ignores finer details about individual people and their crimes

Question 6

Negative eval for Durkheim regarding the victims? (2)

Answer 6

• highly insensitive to the victims
• modern Britain focuses on victimisation and victims rights therefore his views are out of date

Question 7

Negative evaluation regarding Durkheim’s view of the CJS? (3)

Answer 7

• overlooks the flaws within the CJS
• overlooks social class bias - the poor are unfairly punished so social solidarity is not strengthened
• CJS uses criminal behaviours to strengthen inequality and injustices in a capitalise society