Marxism

Question 1

Marxism ideology?

Answer 1

Conflict theorist originating from the work of Karl Marx. He believes that capitalists society is based on inequalities between the bourgeoise (ruling/capitalist class ) and proletariats (working class).

Question 2

What does RSA stand for? & What is it?

Answer 2

Repressive State Apparatus
- Controls the proletariats, and comprises the government, the armed forces, the police and the Criminal Justice System.

Question 3

What does ISA stand for? What is it?

Answer 3

Ideological State Apparatus
controls more subtly, by socialising into accepting the capitalist ideology. For example, family, media, peers, religion etc.

Question 4

How can this be applied to CD?

Answer 4

shows that those who are deviant as a warning and also to divide, keep us scared and therefore to justify the use of RSA.

Question 5

Definition of murder different between the classes?

Answer 5

crime is socially constructed by the powerful. Murder can be seen as avoidable killing but their are some that aren’t classified.

Question 6

What is Alienation?

Answer 6

the sense of powerlessness, lack of control and the disconnectedness felt by the proletariats created by capitalism.

Question 7

Bonger 1916

Answer 7

some crime is created by poverty hence during times, of economic deprivation, crime rates among the poorer section of society increases. Those who live in poor conditions and is completion with the other scare recourses.

Question 8

Which aspects of capitalism drives people to criminality and why does this occur?

Answer 8

capitalism creates competition and inequality. Promotes individualisation, materialism, false needs racism and false masculinity. This creates crime due to desperation.

Question 9

Gordon 1973

Answer 9

• Focus on urban and violent crimes with little attention given to white collar crimes.
• Points out that given the prevalence of crime in the USA, criminal behaviour seems to the norm rather than an aberration. Citing in 1961 survey found that 91% of Americans admitted that they have committed acts for which may receive custodial sentences.
• Also argues that crime is a rational response to the situation people find themselves in, and that capitalism with its focus on competition for recourses and inequality, creates the conditions in which crime is carried out.

Question 10

Chambliss - 3 main points

Answer 10

• argues that the structure of capitalism creates both the desire to consume and for most, the inability to earn enough money to meet these consumption desires.
• proletariats on the street through incarceration, and employs another section of society in the control of criminality reducing surplus labour.
• criminality takes is directly related to the position and opportunities which relate to the individual.

Question 11

Evaluation on Marxism

Answer 11

• argue that the ruling class ae all involved in a deliberate conspiracy, to control and criminalise the lower classes. However, it is not a deliberate conspiracy, the dominance of the powerful and their ideology operates in ways which benefits them and disadvantage the powerless.
• Critics also cite examples of laws which protect the rights of the powerless, such as laws against murder, theft, rape, health/safety regulations and human right laws. However, box argues above, such laws are often framed and enforced selectively and so still operates the benefit the powerful.