Marxist explanation of crime LT5 Flashcards
Marxist view of crime and deviance
Largely reject OCS and see them as socially constructed
What methods do marxist favour ?
qualitative secondary case studies
Who talks about criminogenic capitalism ?
Chambliss
criminogenic capitalism
capitalism creates economic inequalities as the powerless are exploited by ruling class
exploitation results in poverty/unemployment
causing w/c turning to utilitarian street crime
what is utilitarian crime ?
Money making crime
What is alienation ?
Frustration and lack of control of their lives
What does alienation lead to ?
non-utilitarian crime such as violence
Who talks about ‘Dog eat Dog’ culture ?
Chambliss
What id Dog eat Dog culture ?
Capitalist values such as profit, wealth creation and competition creates pressure for middle and working class to commit crime
How talks about laws serving ruling class interests ?
Pearce
Law serving ruling class interests
subjective law creation by the state created to protect the interests of the powerful ruling class.
what is an example of law creation by ruling class?
Employment and Trade union law implemented by Mrs Thatcher undermining power by limiting numbers.
Why are laws selectively enforced
serves to create beliefs (ideological function) that crime is a w/c problem directing attention away from powerful groups crime
What do forms of social control do ?
superstructure which transmits ideologies of powerful ruling class
how do ruling class ideologies affect working class?
ensure they are kept in a state of false class consciousness preventing revolution hence why capitalist social order is maintained
What do Neo marxists argue about crime and deviance
They have voluntaristic view that crime in meaningful and have political motives and are trying to deliberately change society
What did Taylor et al suggest?
Full social theory involves:
- wider origins
- immediate origins
- deviant act itself
- immediate social reaction
- wider social reaction
- effects of labelling
Example given by taylor et al
- long term unemployment (black)
- racist policing
- political protest
- media coverage was biased
- inappropriate regeneration scheme
- Black people remained under police
what did Bennett’s support suggest
m/c offenders were more likely be cautioned than w/c
Negative view of marxist response to OCS
Too readily dismiss OCS. Realists accept that OCS have problems and are subject to bias (under-recording)
