Marxist and Neo-marxist Theories Of Crime Flashcards
How does capitalism encourage aggression?
It is a competitive system that emphasises individual gain rather than collective wellbeing
Marxists offer a different view of deviant subculture, how do they suggest that working class sub-cultures arise?
From a Marxist perspective, crime and deviance in western society can only be understood in terms of capitalism and the class struggle
The Marxist view of crime has three main elements. What are they?
Criminogenic capitalism, The state and law making and Ideological functions of crime and law
According to Marxists, why can nothing be done to solve the problems of crime?
For Marxists, crime is inevitable in capitalism because capitalism is criminogenic whereby it’s very nature causes crime
Why is capitalism criminogenic?
It is based on exploitation of the working class so poverty may mean that crime is the only way they can survive and obtain consumer goods encouraged by capitalist advertising. Also, alienation and lack of control over their lives may lead to frustration and aggression
What does David Gordon argue about criminogenic capitalism?
He argues that crime is a rational response to the capitalist system
What is the Marxist view on law making and law enforcement?
They see it as only serving the interests of the capitalist class
What does William Chambliss argue about law making?
He argues that laws to protect private property are the cornerstone of the capitalist economy
What do Marxists argue about the enforcement of the law by the criminal justice system?
Marxists argue that although all classes commit crime, the law is selectively enforced to criminalise the working class and ignore the crimes of the powerful
How do laws perform an ideological function? Give an example
They appear to be for the benefit of the working class rather than capitalism such as health and safety laws
What does Frank Pearce argue about the ideological function of laws?
He argues that such laws as health and safety also benefit the ruling class such as keeping workers fit to work
What is the consequence of selective law enforcement?
Crime appears to a largely working class phenomenon
What does Chambliss argue about law making and law enforcement?
He argues that laws to protect private property are the cornerstone of the capitalist economy
What does Reiman argue about white collar crime?
He argues that ‘street crimes’ such as assault no theft are far more likely to be reported and pursued by the police compared to ‘white collar’ crime such as fraud
What does Taylor’s ‘New Criminology’ reject in favour of?
It rejects the traditional Marxist view that workers are driven to crime by economic necessity, and instead believes that crime is a voluntary act
