Marxist / neo-marxist

Question 1

Althusser basic view

Answer 1

Structural Marxist
Reproduction of inequality in society by controlling the masses- hus ideas derived from Marx ideas of economic base and superstucture - cultural aspects of life
Ruling class controlled the behavior of wc through social institutions

Question 2

How does the state control us - Althusser

Answer 2

Ideological state apparatus - religion, school, media, the family - passes on the dominant norms and values of the rc through infromal control
Repressive state apparatus - police, legal system - enforces those dominant norms and values of the rc

Question 3

Examples of the RSA in force

Answer 3

2011 London riots - water cannon were used, police had shields and battons
Miner’s strikes, early 1880s police using unneeded force

Question 4

Evaluation of Althusser

Answer 4

Theoretical - not based on actual research
People can reject the dominant ideoligy without the rc needing to get invloved
In the demographic west, protests are a respected political call and can’t just be ignored by government

Question 5

What is criminogenic capitalism

Answer 5

Marxists suggest that capitalism is responsible for much of the crime committed in society
Capitalism creates false needs while simultaneously denying people the means to achieve these

Question 6

What does criminogenic mean

Answer 6

Something that leads to crime

Question 7

Bonger - marxist

Answer 7

Suggests that by it’s very design, capitalism was criminogenic

Question 8

How is capitalism to blame for crime

Answer 8

Advertising promotes goods and services + capitalissts keep wages low in order to maximise profit = people turning to crime in order to meet these false needs

Question 9

Chambliss view on crime

Answer 9

Crime is universal throughout the social - class system due to the individualistic and utilitarian nature of capitalism
Wc criminals have limited means to commit crime and gravitate towards violent acts and exploitation of weaker individuals
Ruling class has unlimited means and so can commit more subtle forms of crime - such as corporate crime
It is the rc who create law and most benefit and protect themselves - argue the purpose of law as set to protect private property from the masses

Question 10

Gordon view - why does he agree with Chambliss

Answer 10

Capitalism is a “dog eat dog” society and competition generated leads to criminal activity
Crime is a rational act in order to get ahead of others in competing positions
More common in USA than UK as they have reduced welfare safety net - forcing wc to commit crime to survuve

Question 11

Mankoff view on Gordon

Answer 11

Agrees - less crime in Europe in post war era - they developed a welfare state

Question 12

Snider view on marxism

Answer 12

Capitalism encourages corporate crimes through competition - firms will break the law to post higher profits to please share holders
Street crimes cost less than corporate crimes, such as inside trading, money laundering and fraudelent accounting- although its persecuted much more - anti - competitive behaviour from businesses
Research found that street crime cost $4b - US gov spent $325 b on bailing out banks due to illegal prosecutions

Question 13

Evaluation on Marxists positive

Answer 13

Structual inequalities does lead to crime - Merton, left realists

Question 14

Evaluation of marxists negative

Answer 14

Doesn’t explain why there is more inter-class crime
Doesn’t explain who some wc people do not turn to crime who are in a bad financial position

Question 15

What is neo-marxism

Answer 15

Inspired by traditional Marxist ideas and labelling theory
Social structures shaped criminal behaviour, individuals could demonstrate agency
Saw criminals as victims of social stigma and actively resisting elements of capitalism

Question 16

Taylor, Walton and Young - the new criminoligy

Answer 16

Puts interactionist and Marxists together, focus on interpretations of individuals, rather than the act of crime - influenced by their own agencies, and also structural forces

Question 17

Considerations of Full social theory

Answer 17

Wider origins of deviant act - power structures and inequalities in society
Immediate origins of the deviant act - particular circumstances that have caused person to commit crime
The actual act of deviance - what was the meaning of the act for the individual
Immediate origins of social reaction - reactions of those connected with the individual
Wider origins of social reaction - how does the rest of society act
Impact of social reactions on future behaviour - will the person be labelled

Question 18

Evaluation of neo - marxists

Answer 18

Hall adopted Fully Social Theory to explain the negative portrayal of black criminality
Idealistic - suggests crime is motivated by a desire to get revenge against inequalities in society
Does not explain why crime is mostly committed against other wc individuals