Marx Crime And Dev Flashcards
Gordon
Crime is a rational response to the capitalist system and is found in all social classes
Criminogenic capitalism
Crime is inevitable because capitalism by its very nature causes crime.
Poverty may mean crime is the only way working class can survive
Crime may be the only way they can obtain consumeristic goods which they are encouraged to buy via advertising resulting in utilitarian crimes like theft
Alienation and lack of control over their lives may cause frustration and aggression resulting in non utilitarian crime such as violence and vandalism
The state and law making
Law Making and law enforcement only serves the interests of the capitalist class
Chambliss- laws protect private property and are the cornerstone of the capitalist economy
The ruling class have the power to prevent the introduction of laws that would threaten their interest
Snider - the capitalist state is reluctant to pass laws which regulate the activities of business or threaten their profitability
Reiman
Believed that street crimes such as assault and theft are more likely to be reported and pursued by the police than white collar crime such as fraud or insider trading in the city
The more likely a crime is to be committed by the upper class the less likely it is to be treated as a criminal offense
Gordon
Argues selective law enforcement of the law helps to maintain ruling class power and reinforce the ruling class ideology.
Gives the impression that criminals are located mainly in the working class ultimately dividing them by encouraging workers to blame the criminals in their midst for their problems rather than capitalism
Pearce
Argues such laws often benefit the ruling class too e.g by keeping workers fit ( health and safety laws).
By giving capitalism a caring face such laws also create flase class conscienceness among the workers in any case such laws are not rigorously enforced
