Marxism:

Question 1

Main ideas

Answer 1

David: crime is a rational response to capitalist system and found in all social classes

Question 2

Explain criminogenic capitalism:

Answer 2

Nature causes crime

Based on exploitation of working class

Poverty means crime is only way working class can survive

Only way to obtain consumer goods

Lack of control leads to frustration and aggression

Question 3

Explain state and law making:

Answer 3

Sees law making as serving interests on capitalist class

William chambliss: argues that laws to protect private property are the cornerstone of capitalist economy.

Ruling class have power to prevent introduction of laws that threaten their interests

Question 4

Explain selective enforcement:

Answer 4

While powerless groups such as working class are criminalised, the police tend to ignore crimes of powerful.

Question 5

Explain ideological functions of crime and law:

Answer 5

Frank Pearce; argues that laws benefit the ruling class by keeping workers fit for work. Laws create false consciousness among workers

Question 6

Evaluation of Marxism:

Answer 6

Ignores relationship between crime and non class inequalities like ethnicity and gender.

Too deterministic and iverpredicts crime in WC