Neo marxism views

Question 1

In what ways does Taylor et al (1973) agree with marxists ?

Answer 1

Capitalist society is based on exploitation and class conflict

The state makes and enforces laws in the interests of the capitalist class

Capitalism should be replaced by a classless society

Question 2

In what way does Taylor et al disagree with traditional marxism ?

Answer 2

Instead of being deterministic they see crime as voluntaristic, a deliberate response to the capitalist system

Question 3

What does Gilroy (1982) say ?

Answer 3

Young black men are no more criminal than white men but that when they do break the law it should be seen as a political act

Question 4

Taylor, Walton and Young (1973) aimed to create a ‘fully social theory of deviance’, what were the 2 sources this theory united ?

Answer 4

Traditional marxist ideas about the unequal division of power and resources

Ideas from interactionism and labelling theory about the meaning of the deviant act to the actor

Question 5

What are the 6 aspects a social theory of deviance must contain ?

Answer 5

The wider origins of the deviant act

The immediate origins of the act

The act itself

The immediate origins of the social reaction

The wider origins of the social reaction

The effects of labelling on the deviants future

Question 6

What did Hall et al (1978) say ?

Answer 6

That mugging reasserted the dominance of the ruling class when it was at threat due to an economic and political crisis

Question 7

What does Burke say to counter Neo marxist ideas ?

Answer 7

That critical criminology is both too general to explain crime and too idealistic to be useful