Marxist Criminology: William Chambliss

Question 1

Is Marxist Criminology an extension of the labeling theory? YES Or NO

Answer 1

YES

Question 2

What year was Chambliss published?

Answer 2

1975

Question 3

What is the name of the journal Chambliss published?

Answer 3

“Toward a political economy of crime”

Question 4

Does Chambliss disagree that criminal law is an expression valid morals and values. TRUE OR FALSE

Answer 4

TRUE

Question 5

Do some theories believe that crime is due to differences of morals and personal values? YES OR NO

Answer 5

YES

Question 6

What are some theories that say deviance is dependent on personal values?

Answer 6

Subculture theory (Cohen & Sutherland) different values;
Sykes & Matza thought everyone has same values;
Social Disorganization thought people in certain neighborhoods had different values.

Question 7

Did Chambliss believe all of these personal value theories about crime to be bullshit? YES OR NO

Answer 7

YES

Question 8

Did Chambliss believe it is a matter of interest and not personal values? YES OR NO

Answer 8

YES

Question 9

Under Labeling theory, Mr. Becker said, what is criminalized is determined by political power. Laws are contestations or arguments by different groups in society. TRUE OR FALSE

Answer 9

TRUE

Question 10

Unlike Becker who believes there are arguments or struggles to determine laws among different societies, Mr Chambliss believes there is no struggle or argument! The Elite Political leaders do not have a struggle or consider contenders. They do as they please. True or False

Answer 10

TRUE

Question 11

Chambliss calls these elites: The ruling class; wealthy elite. TRUE OR FALSE

Answer 11

TRUE

Question 12

Does Chambliss believe the ruling class pass these laws through their proxy, which is the State? YES OR NO

Answer 12

YES

Question 13

Do the wealthy elite use the State as their enforcers? YES OR NO

Answer 13

YES

Question 14

Why do the ruling class fell a need to make laws?

Answer 14

They feel a need because they are scared of a resistance or protest from the working class.

Question 15

Are the elite ruling class using the State to suppress and control the working class? YES OR NO

Answer 15

YES

Question 16

Who would the working class resist?

Answer 16

The capitalist system or the elites property interests.

Question 17

Chambliss identifies a number of areas where Marxist principals that could define or explain “crime and deviance” TRUE OR FALSE

Answer 17

TRUE

Question 18

1 Content and Operation of the law is the first characterisitc the professor explained. True or False

Answer 18

True

Question 19

Under Content and Operation, according to Chambliss, the elite ruling class’ behavior is not enforced the same as the working class. TRUE OR FALSE

Answer 19

TRUE

Question 20

Are the ruling elite given immunity of punishment for the same behavior of the working class? TRUE OR FALSE

Answer 20

TRUE

Question 21

Are the working class people enforced equally when compared to the wealthy elite? YES OR NO

Answer 21

NO

Question 22

2 Consequences for Society, Surplus Labor Populations Chambliss characterization of Marxist Criminology. TRUE OR FALSE

Answer 22

TRUE

Question 23

Does a Capitalist system need a Surplus of Labor Population? YES OR NO

Answer 23

YES

Question 24

A population of people who are unemployed or underemployed is necessary in a capitalist system. TRUE OR FALSE

Answer 24

TRUE

Question 25

What is the strategy behind a capitalist system having a group of unemployed or underemployed people?

Answer 25

Because if the working people revolt or protest, the unemployed will be hired immediately; thereby by shutting down the protest and revolt or at least making it ineffective. In this manner companies avoid having to pay higher wages or avoid pressure for better medical and other benefits.

Question 26

People who cross the picket line are labeled what?

Answer 26

scabs

Question 27

The problems with the surplus labor population is that they have no interests in the Capitalist system.

Answer 27

Presumably the scabs could be the first people to resist or revolt because they are poor and jobless because of the Capitalist system.

Question 28

Does crime control this surplus labor population in a few different ways. True or False

Answer 28

True

Question 29

Does the job surplus individuals procure work in the crime world? YES OR NO

Answer 29

YES

Question 30

In a capitalist society does the existence of crime create jobs? YES OR NO

Answer 30

YES

Question 31

Is there a million plus amount of people who make a living by benefitting from crime? YES OR NO

Answer 31

YES

Question 32

If for example, drugs were legal, all of the surplus population would literally starve and revolt against the capitalist system? TRUE OR FALSE

Answer 32

TRUE

Question 33

Hungry unemployed people could be easily politicized and convinced to revolt against the system. TRUE OR FALSE

Answer 33

TRUE

Question 34

Is there another group (POLICE) of surplus population that do nothing for society but are in charge of the first group (CRIMINALS) of surplus population? YES OR NO

Answer 34

YES

Question 35

Do police create, produce, or mfg.? YES OR NO

Answer 35

NO

Question 36

Is it true that police wouldn’t have a job if they didn’t have criminals? YES OR NO

Answer 36

YES

Question 37

Is it ironic that policemen come from the same class and community as criminals? YES OR NO

Answer 37

YES

Question 38

Is it common for policemen and criminals to be in the same family. YES OR NO

Answer 38

YES

Question 39

What class are policemen?

Answer 39

working class

Question 40

Why are policemen paid a lot of money?

Answer 40

the ruling class needs the working class people to enforce their interests.

Question 41

Is money used to divide and conquer? YES OR NO

Answer 41

YES

Question 42

The money & prestige is so powerful that officers are willing to separate from family, if they are criminals, and instead opt to make money. TRUE OR FALSE

Answer 42

TRUE

Question 43

3 ETIOLOGY OF CRIME AND DEVIANCE essentially means what?

Answer 43

why people do the things they do

Question 44

Does Chambliss believe that the interests of law abiding and law breaking individuals is the same? YES OR NO

Answer 44

YES

Question 45

Chambliss believe that people in different classes, rationally pursue their own self interests. TRUE OR FALSE

Answer 45

TRUE

Question 46

People who are wealthy do not need to commit crimes, yet poor people do need to commit crimes to supplement their income. TRUE OR FALSE. Which theory is this closely related to?

Answer 46

TRUE

STRAIN THEORY

Question 47

Did Chambliss say that a community shouldn’t be surprised that poor people commit crimes. YES OR NO

Answer 47

YES

Question 48

Chambliss says criminal behavior is not “arbitrary” as in Durkheim’s theory, what is criminal is determined by the ruling class. TRUE OR FALSE

Answer 48

TRUE

Question 49

In Denmark where there isn’t black or latinos criminalize who?

Answer 49

People from the middle east.

Question 50

Capitalism creates crime in order to control problem populations (threats to capitalism) TRUE OR FALSE

Answer 50

TRUE

Question 51

In contrast to Capitalism, Socialist systems have less crime. TRUE OR FALSE

Answer 51

TRUE