Marxism

Question 1

What does Pearce talk about + examples?

Answer 1

Ideological function of crime
- laws are occasionally passed that appear to benefit w/c
- ‘caring face’
eg. Health & Safety Act, Minimum Wage, Pensions

Question 2

What does Gordon talk about?

Answer 2

Criminogenic Capitalism
- crime is a rational response to the Capitalist system
- focus on w/c crime, distracts from r/c crime
- Capitalism encourages greed + selfishness through the privatisation of property = ‘culture of envy’

Question 3

Criticisms of Criminogenic Capitalism

Answer 3

• r/c crime is still prevent in society
• laws still apply to r/c
• no explanation for crime in a Communist society

Question 4

What are Chambliss’ definitions of crime?

Answer 4

• organised crime is closely linked to the small elite eg. r/c + police
• in Seattle, 70% of arrests for public drunkness but white collar crime was ignotef

Question 5

What does Box talk about?

Answer 5

Selective Law Enforcement
- r/c have power to prevent laws being passed that aren’t in their interest
- the powerful kill, injure + steal from ordinary members of society
- mystification = criminalising w/c

Question 6

What does Sutherland say about white-collar crime?

Answer 6

• there are more opportunities to offend at the higher end of occupational hierarchy
• less obvious crimes like tax evasion
• few cases are taken to court (is it selective?)