Marxist theories of crime

Question 1

Marxists agree a little that deviance encourages social control which keeps order in society

but it slightly differs

Answer 1

marxists argue that this an exploitive system which uses social control to prevent rebellion in order to keep the working class oppressed

the legal system socialises everyone to accept ruling class ideas

Question 2

Capitalist society causes crime (it is crimogenic)

Answer 2

society works at the expense of the working class thus they are likely to be in poverty - may force them to commit crimes in order to survive e.g steal food

frustration of this can lead to violence

Question 3

Capitalist state passes laws which benefit ruling class

Answer 3

Capitalist exploitation is built upon private property and laws work to protect this - keeps w/c out of ‘the land of the rich’ (Chambliss and Mankoff)

Question 4

Ruling class are less likely to be punished for cooperate crimes

Answer 4

unequal enforcement of law in society

Snider argues cooperate crime like breaking health and safety laws is more severe than working class crime like burglary

There is more media coverage of working class crime to make it seem like more of a threat - thus ruling class crime is treated more leniently and little condemnation

Question 5

(-) traditional marxists overlook /ignore other effects on crime

Answer 5

• many reject the assumption that capitalism is crimogenic - some capitalist societies like switerzland have very low crime rates
• feminists say it ignores the role of patriarchy in rule creation and social control