Marxism

Question 1

CRIMINOGENIC CAPITALISM

capitalism causes crime :

Poverty may mean crime is the only option

Alienation May lead to crime due to frustration

Answer 1

Competition between capitalists may lead to white collar crime e.g. tax invasion

Question 2

SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT-

All classes commit crime but only WC / ethnic minorities are punished

Answer 2

IDEOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS

Laws such as the health & safety in work appear to benefit WC

Pearce - These benefit the ruling class by keeping them fit for work

Question 3

Right realism

crime is a growing problem destroying communities

HEINSTEIN + MURRAY - lack of intelligence causes crime

CHARLES MURRAY - Underclass who fail to socialise children properly causes crime

Answer 3

Left realism

We need explanations that will lead to practical strategies for reducing it

Lea + Young - people commit crime due to relative deprivation caused by the media advertising things they can’t afford

Marginalisation - marginalised groups express frustration through crime

Question 4

Chivalry thesis - most criminal justice agents are men who are socialised to be more chivalrous towards women

POLLAK - criminal justice system are more lenient with women so crimes are less likely to be on official statistics - invalid picture

Answer 4

BOX - women who commit serious offences are not treated more favourably than men

Question 5

HEIDENSOHN - Patriarchal control prevents women from offending

Answer 5

MESSERSCHMIDT - Men use crime as a form of masculinity

Question 6

PHILIPS & BOWLING

Police have negative stereotypes of ethnic minorities leading to deliberate stop and searchers

Answer 6

White victims over identify blacks saying the offender was black even when they’re not sure

Question 7

CRIME IN THE MEDIA

FELSON - media exaggerates crime ‘dramatic fallacy’

News as a social construct - editors decide what is news worthy

Answer 7

MORAL PANIC

exaggerated over reaction driven by the media where he problem is enlarged out of proportion