Key Theorists - Class, Power and Crime

Question 1

KEY THEORIST - MARX: MARXIST VIEW OF CRIME

What does Marx argue?

Answer 1

• Laws are one of the ways the ruling class keep the proletariat are in check.
• Laws, therefore, reflect the interest of the ruling class – the ruling class like to see petty crime being punished.
• The working class commit crime due to feelings of alienation and status frustration.
• People have unequal access to the law e.g. money to get a good lawyer.
• Your class affects the punishment you receive for your crime.
• Class can affect a person’s experience in the criminal justice system.

Question 2

KEY THEORIST - BONGER: MARXIST VIEW OF CRIME

What does Bonger argue?

Answer 2

• Crimes like robbery are inevitable in capitalism because there are such extremes of poverty and wealth.

Question 3

KEY THEORIST - BOX: MARXIST VIEW OF CRIME

What does Box argue?

Answer 3

• The capitalist class commit crimes which harm, kill, maim and steal from the proletariat, but these are not always judged as seriously as some other crimes e.g. health and safety law is civil law.

Question 4

KEY THEORIST - ALTHUSSER: MARXIST VIEW OF CRIME

What does he argue?

Answer 4

• The criminal justice system is an ideological state apparatus, it legitimises class inequality and perpetuates the values of capitalism.

Question 5

KEY THEORIST - CHAMBLISS: MARXIST VIEWS OF CRIME

What did they find?

Answer 5

• Vagrancy laws introduced in 1349 and 1530 appeared to reflect the needs of the working class, but in fact were far more beneficial to the middle class.

Question 6

KEY THEORIST - SNIDER: MARXIST VIEWS OF CRIME

What does Snider argue?

Answer 6

• The government is often reluctant to pass laws which regulate businesses or limit their profitability.

Question 7

KEY THEORIST - REIMAN: MARXIST VIEW OF CRIME

What does Reiman argue?

Answer 7

• Crimes committed more commonly by the middle class are often under policed and under punished.

Question 8

KEY THEORIST - GORDON: MARXIST VIEW OF CRIME

What does Gordon argue?

Answer 8

Argues that:
- Capitalism encourages crime in its values, for example: materialism, consumerism and competition all result in greed and self-interest.

Question 9

KEY THEORIST - CROALL: MARXIST VIEW OF CRIME

What does Croall argue?

Answer 9

• White collar crime often has the opportunity to make far more money than theft or robbery, however it is not regarded as a serious issue.