Marxist theories of crime Flashcards
What is the central view of crime for marxists?
the idea that capitalism is criminogenic, due to the exploitation the working class experience. Capitalism creates inequality with causes a rise in crime.
Who highlights the idea of criminogenic capitalism?
Gordon- Crime is a rational reaction to capitalist ideas, like profit competition and materialism. This is why crime is found throughout all social classes, as even the elite need to compete with their ruling class counterparts.
What is selective law enforcement?
The criminal justice system being applying the law differently for different social groups.
Who argues that selective law enforcement is used?
Reiman
What did Reiman say?
Ruling class are more likely to commit crime but less likely to have the offence treated as criminal.
What did Box say?
The rich often engage in activities that result in death, injury, theft and fraud but such activities are protected under the law. For example, health and safety laws.
What did Chambliss say?
The law is shaped to protect property and profits of the rich and powerful.
What did Snider say?
Governments are reluctant to pass laws which will regulate the activities of businesses or threaten profitability as this effect donations.
How does the media portray criminals?
As being disturbed rather than showing the impact of capitalism on criminality.
What did Pearce say?
Laws are occasionally passed to make it appear as though the government is trying to protect the rights of the working class. However in reality they still benefit the ruling class, as they create loopholes and rarely prosecute for such crimes.
What statistic exemplifies Pearce’s theory?
The introduction of the 2007 corporate homicide law, however in the first 8 years only one case cases achieved a successful prosecution.
Evaluations of the marxist perspective of crime.
Ignores other causes of crime- only focuses on class inequalities, which excludes other inequalities, like gender and ethnicity. As well as this, there are other causes of criminality that are not related to inequality that marxists neglect to explore.
Passive working class/romanticises criminals- Places no blame on criminals and states that the working class cannot help but commit crime due to their economic position.
Crime in communist states- if crime was based on capitalism it would not have been present in communist societies, however this was not the case in soviet russia or cuba.
Ignores the victims of crime- most victims of crime are the working class, which wouldn’t be true if Marxist theories were correct.
Law makers in modern democracies are elected- people chosen, so shouldn’t be bias.
