Marxist/Neo Marxist Persepective Flashcards
How is capitalism criminogenic in regards to the WC?
- crime may be the only way that the WC can survive due to poverty
- crime may be the only way to obtain CGs advertised in the media causing theft
- alienation causes frustration which results in violence
How is capitalism criminogenic in reference to the MC?
It is a ruthless sytem of competition which encourages greed. This encourages capitalists to commit white collar crimes like tax evasion
What does Gordon argue?
Crime is a rational response to capitalism, hence it is found in all social classes
(Chambliss)what is the cornerstone of capitalist economies? Give an example
Laws that protect the ownership of private property.
In the British E. African colonies, to force people to work, thr British introduced tax payable cash and criminalised the failure to pay taxes. Because the society was cashless, the only way to get money was to work on plantations
What does Snider argue? Give an example
Capitalist states are reluctant to pass laws theat regulate activities of businesses or threaten their profitability
EXAMPLE: 3.5 million Bangladeshi work long hours with pay too low to support them
Selective enforcement of laws
Agree with labelling theorists that there is selective enforcement
Powerless groups like WC and ethnic minorities are criminalised while the CJS ignores crimes of the powerful
(Snider) 2 Ideological functions of crime/law
Laws are sometimes passed which appear to care for workers but they also benefit the ruling class e.g. health and safety laws ensure that workers are able to work as efficently as possible
Selective law enforcement makes it seem that crime is a WC phenomenon which divides the WC instead of uniting them against capitalism
Advantage of Marxist explanation
Show the link between law making and the interests of the ruling class
Criticisms of Marxism
Largely ignores the relationship between crime and non class inequalities like gender or ethnicity
Too deterministic- not all poor people commit crime despite poverty
What does neo marxist Taylor et al agree with Marxists on? (3 points)
Capitalism is based on exploitation and this is the key to understanding crime
The state makes and enforces laws in the interests of capitalists
Capitalism should be replaced with a classless society which would get rid of crime
What is Taylor’s approach known as?
Critical criminology
Taylor’s criticism of Marxism?
Deterministic e.g. sees crime as the product of the WC’s poverty but it is the result of other external factors like subcultures and labelling
How does Taylor’s approach differ from Marxist approach? Give an example?
Takes on a voluntaristic perspective (acknowledges that we have free will)
Crime often has a political motive and they deliberately strive to change society e.g. redistributing wealth
Criticisms of critical criminology
Hartmann- it is gender blind as it ignores female crime in favour of male crime
Left realist- romanticises WC criminals as robin hoods when they mostly prey on the poor
