Marxist theories

Question 1

How do traditional, modernist Marxists explain crime?

Answer 1

Marxists believe structural inequality leads to resentment, and ultimately causes conflict that breaks the value consensus

Question 2

What are the four main Marxist principles?

Answer 2

• Capitalist society is criminogenic
• Laws reflect ruling-class ideology
• Scapegoating
• Selective law enforcement

Question 3

How is capitalist society criminogenic according to Marxists?

Answer 3

Encouraging self-interest and competition means some people will take things too far when they get desperate

Question 4

How do laws reflect ruling-class ideology according to Marxists?

Answer 4

The law is made by the ruling class
Chambliss (1975) argues that therefore it will reflect their interests above all others
Crime is ideologically constructed to demonise the working class
Laws that look good are still only there to help the rich

Question 5

What is scapegoating?

Answer 5

Where the system does punish someone from the ruling class, it’s only done to prevent a backlash

Question 6

What is selective law enforcement?

Answer 6

The law is interpreted differently depending on who is accused of breaking it