Marxist Theories of Crime and Deviance

Question 1

How does capitalism lead to crime according to marxists?

Answer 1

It is criminogenic because it causes exploitation of the working class.
It leads to an ever increasing gap between the rich and poor so therefore the poor turn to crime in order to afford the necessities.
The frustration of exploitation can also lead to violence.

Question 2

What does selective law enforcement mean?

Answer 2

That the CJS applies the law to different social groups in different ways.
Where the working class and ethnic minorities are criminalised; the powerful and rich appear to get let off or ignored.

Question 3

What does selective law making mean?

Answer 3

That the laws themselves are socially constructed to benefit the rich and powerful.
Box argues that the rich often engage in activities which result in death, injury, fraud and theft but the activities are protected under law.

Question 4

What are the ideological functions of crime?

Answer 4

To give a reason for the social control by the ruling class in order to prevent revolution from occurring.
Criminals are often portrayed as 'disturbed' by the media rather than them revealing the role that capitalism has in making people criminals.

Question 5

What are some evaluations for Marxist theories of crime and deviance?

Answer 5

~Ignores other causes of crime --> Marxism focuses on class inequalities and ignores other inequalities that lead to crime like gender and ethnicity.
~Passive working class/Romanticises criminals --> Suggest that the working class can't help but commit crime due to the economic circumstance. Also suggests that criminals aren't to blame but the society in which they live has caused their behaviour.
~Crime in communist states --> If crime was a symptom of capitalism then communist states would be crime free
~Ignores the victims of the crime --> Most of the victims of crime are poor and working class, if Marxist views were accurate then the ruling class would be victims.
~Lawmakers in modern democracies are elected --> Modern democracies are law makers are elected by the electorate and include a range of interests. Also most criminal laws are not controversial and there is a consensus regarded the greater good.