Marxism and Crime Flashcards
Marxist Overall view of crime
Argue that the nature and organisation of capitalism creates the potential for criminal behaviour.
Marx wrote very little about crime and deviance, so other marxists have applied these ideas in order to understand crime and deviance
David Gordon: Class Inequalities & Crime
Suggests capitalism creates the potential for criminal behaviour in two ways:
1. Social class and equality means crime is a rational reponse
2. Criminogenic encourages criminal behaviour in all social classes- ‘dog eat dog’ everyone is looking out for their own interests
Claims that the nature of capitalism is criminogenic; it promotes criminal activity by all social classes, not just the working class. This is not reflected in crime statistics
Walter Reckless: Bimodal theory of crime distribution
Supports the view presented by Gordon that crime is throughout all social classes. Suggests crime is most frequent among upper and lower classes, although crimes of the upper class are rarely reflected in crime statistics
Richard Quinney: Capitalism and Inequalities
Crime is a result of inequality in capitalist societies- laws reflect the interest of the bourgeoisie
Law is an instrument of the state and ruling class, used to maintain social + economic order and the position of the ruling class.
Crime control in capitalist society is accomplished through agents of social control, which are administered by the government and controlled by the ruling class
William Chambliss: Crime of Inequality
Too much focus on the crimes of the poor, rather than the crime of inequality which is the main cause of crime.
Polarisation: gap between higher and lower classes will grow
Diversion: Crime diverts lower class + diverts our attention from capitalist exploitation
Reality: Ruling class define crime
Conditions: Poor commit crime because of poverty and desperation
Chambliss + Seidman:
Society is made up of various groups who are in conflict, law is a tool for those in power. The poor are treated unfairly by the criminal justice system.
Through their socialisation process and privledged social position, judges and lawmakers are biased in favour of the wealthy. Law enforcement agencies are connected to the powerful and wealthy through political structures
Louis Althusser:
Law is an ideological state apparatus supported by the police, which form part of the repressive state apparatus. Law and criminal justice system seeks to maintain class inequality in 4 ways:
1. Laws protect the major priorities of capitalism
2. The powerful kill + injure members of society, h/o, these are considered health and safety rather than a criminal offence.
3. Law enforcement is selective and tends to favour the rich and powerful
4. Crimes commited by higher class people are less likely to be criminal offences
Edwin Sutherland: White collar crime
Created the term WCC- described this as crime commited by people of respectability and high social status in the course of their occupation.
Largely hidden from official crime statistics
Types of WCC:
Corporate crime= company crimes, commited by individuals acting on behalf of a corporation and are financially motivated.
Occupational Crime= Opportunities created in the course of a legal occupation, very difficult to detect.
Green Crime= against the environment, organised
State crime= crime committed by a state or government
Hazel Croall: Potential gains from WCC
People who own means of production have greater opportunity than most to make large sums of money from crime
Crimes against consumers (overcharging)
Crimes against employees (Overworking)
Environmental offences (pollution)
Financial crimes (fraud)
