Neo Marxism

Question 1

Who are Neo-Marxists

Answer 1

neo=’new’
Share many same views as traditional Marxists
Aim to combine traditional Marxism with labelling theory

Question 2

What do Neo-Marxists Taylor, Walton and Young agree with traditional Marxists on

Answer 2

1. capitalism is based on exploitation and inequality
2. state makes and enforces laws in interests of r/c
3. capitalisms should be replaced by classless society to reduce crime

Question 3

How do Neo-Marxists differ to Marxism

Answer 3

They argue traditional Marxism is too deterministic
Trad. Marxists = ‘w/c people are passive victims of capitalism’
Neo = ‘w/c are active agents who have free will and voluntarily choose to commit crime as a political response to neg. experience of capitalism’

Question 4

What concepts do Neo Marxists argue about crime

Answer 4

1. crime as a political response
2. symbolism of crime
3. revolutionary potential
4. a ‘fully social theory of deviance’

Question 5

what is crime as a political response

Answer 5

Crime is a deliberate and meaningful response by the powerless to their position in a capitalist society; a way of protesting against injustice, exploitation and alienation.

Question 6

What’s symbolism of crime

Answer 6

Crime against property are a reaction to wealth and inequality. Vandalism can be seen as a symbolic attack - they are actively trying to alter capitalism and to change society for the better.

Question 7

What’s revolutionary potential

Answer 7

NMs argue the bourgeoisie are aware of the revolutionary potential of the proletariat which is why they take steps to control it.
Police targeting of w/c areas and laws that target blue collar crime, whilst media diverts attention away from injustice is an example of this.

Question 8

What’s ‘policing the crisis’

Answer 8

Hall argues mainstream media serves the interest of the bourgeoisie. He claimed that in the 1970s, the media presented ‘mugging’ as a crime committed by black people against white victims. He claims this had the ideological function of dividing the black and white w/c and pitting them against each other.
It also diverted attention away from serious mismanagement of the r/c in the economy.

Question 9

What’s the ‘fully social theory of deviance’

Answer 9

Taylor et al aimed to create a ‘FSToD’ - a comprehensive theory that would help society change for the better.

Question 10

What re criticisms of Neo Marxism

Answer 10

1. in reality a lot of crime is spontaneous and opportunistic so unlikely to have a political motive.
2. Left Realists criticise NMs for over romanticising criminals as ‘Robin Hoods’ who are fighting against capitalism by stealing from the rich.
3. Reality of crime is that most victims of w/c crime are w/c.
4. Cannot explain crimes like domestic violence and rape - it’s hard to imagine how these could have a political motive.