Marxism

Question 1

What is criminogenic capitalism?

Answer 1

Where capitalsim itself is criminogenic. This means that by its nature it causes crime.

Question 2

How does the exploitation of the working class damaging to them? (3 ways)

Answer 2

It means that people in poverty have to commit crime in order to survive, crime may be the only way that they can obtain consumer goods encouraged by capitalism, and alienation and lack of control over their lives may lead to aggression and frustration, leading to non-utilitarian crimes.

Question 3

What do Marxists call capitalism, and what does it encourage?

Answer 3

They call capitalism a ‘dog eat dog’ system of ruthless competition, which encourages greed and self-interest.

Question 4

What crime is encouraged by greed and self-interest?

Answer 4

White collar crime and corporate crime.

Question 5

What does Gordon argue?

Answer 5

That crime is a rational response to the capitalist system and hence it is found in all social classes- even though official statistics make it appear a working class phenomenon.

Question 6

What do Marxists argue about law and law enforcement?

Answer 6

That it only serves in the interest of capitalism.

Question 7

What does Chambliss argue?

Answer 7

That law exists to protect private property and are the cornerstone of the capitalist economy.

Question 8

Who is the law biased in favour for?

Answer 8

The middle class and capitalism.

Question 9

What does Snider argue?

Answer 9

That the capitalist state is reluctant to pass laws that regulate the activities of businesses or threaten their profitability.

Question 10

Why are there fewer crimes of the ruling class?

Answer 10

Because crime of the powerful are ignored by the police.

Question 11

How does the law, crime, and criminals perform ideological functions?

Answer 11

Laws are occasionally passed that appear to benefit the working class rather than capitalism e.g., workplace health and safety laws.

Question 12

What does Pearce argue?

Answer 12

Such laws often benefit the ruling classes by keeping workers ‘fit for work’.

Question 13

Why does crime appear to be a working class phenomenon?

Answer 13

Because of selective enforcement.

Question 14

What does crime appearing to be a working class phenomenon encourage?

Answer 14

It encourages the working class to blame criminals for their problems rather than capitalism.

Question 15

What is Neo-Marxism a combination of?

Answer 15

Traditional Marxism and labelling theory.

Question 16

Why do Neo-Marxists say Marxism is deterministic?

Answer 16

Because it sees workers as driven to commit crime out of economic necessity.

Question 17

What view do Neo-Marxists take?

Answer 17

A voluntaristic view.

Question 18

What is the voluntaristic view?

Answer 18

That individuals have free will and crime is a meaningful action and a conscious choice by the actor.

Question 19

How do Feminists criticise Neo-Marxism?

Answer 19

Argue that the approach is gender blind because it focuses on male crime.

Question 20

How do Left Realists criticise Neo-Marxism?

Answer 20

Argue that critical criminology romanticises working class criminals as “Robin Hoods”. Who steal from the rich and give to the poor, however they prey on the poor.

Question 21

How does Burke criticise Neo-Marxism?

Answer 21

That critical criminology is too general and too idealistic to be useful in tackling criminology is too general and to idealistic to be useful in tackling crime.

Question 22

What is the definition of white collar crime?

Answer 22

Any illegal act or omission that is a result of deliberate or culpable negligence by a legitimate business that is intended to benefit the business.

Question 23

What does Tombs note?

Answer 23

That corporate crime has enormous costs. For example, physical, environmental, and economic.

Question 24

What are some examples of corporate crimes?

Answer 24

Financial (tax evasion), Crimes against customers (selling unfit products), Crimes against employees (racial discrimination), and Crimes against the environment (illegal pollution of air).

Question 25

What do Pearce and Box argue?

Answer 25

That corporate crime is far more damaging than conventional crime because politicians and the government pay little attention to these crimes.

Question 26

What did Conklin argue?

Answer 26

That US business crime caused greater financial loss than any other of conventional theft.

Question 27

What did Box argue about Britain?

Answer 27

That there are more deaths and injuries from breaches of law by businesses than conventional murder or manslaughter.

Question 28

What are the 4 main factors that Hughes and Langan discuss of why corporate crime is ignored?

Answer 28

Low visibility, complexity, diffusion of responsibility, and Diffusion of victimisation.

Question 29

What are some other reasons why crime is ignored?

Answer 29

The media gives very little coverage to corporate crime, lack of political will to tackle corporate crime, and that corporate crime is often filtered our from the process of criminalisation.

Question 30

What is the strain theory’s explanation for white collar crime and corporate crime?

Answer 30

If a company cannot achieve its goal of maximising profit by legal means, they may employ illegal ones instead. Law violations by large companies increased as their financial performance deteriorated- they shown a willingness to innovate to achieve profit goals.

Question 31

What is the differential associations theory’s explanation for white collar crime and corporate crime?

Answer 31

Behaviour is learnt from others in a social context. The more we associate with people with a criminal attitude, the more likely we are to become criminal/deviant. If a company culture justifies committing crime to achieve corporate goals, employers will be socialised into this criminality.

Question 32

What is the labelling theory’s explanation for white collar crime and corporate crime?

Answer 32

Professionals have the power to avoid labelling, they can afford expensive lawyers to help them avoid activities being labelled as criminals, or got charges reduced. The CJS is reluctant to investigate or prosecute white collar crimes.

Question 33

What is the Marxism theory’s explanation for white collar crime and corporate crime?

Answer 33

Capitalism has spread the idea that corporate crimes is less under spread and harmful than working class crime. The state avoid making or enforcing laws that conflict with its interests. Some corporate crime is prosecuted but is only ever tip of the iceberg.