Neo-Marxist theories

Question 1

How do Neo-Marxists explain crime?

Answer 1

Neo-Marxists remove structural elements from traditional Marxism but retain the conflict message
They say working class criminals are victims of the system, but they still blame them for choosing to turn to crime rather than calling society “criminogenic”
Their founding theory is known as “New Criminology” (Taylor et al, 1973)

Question 2

How is the ruling class hegemonic?

Answer 2

Elites use the media to give unbalanced views that make their natural enemies look guilty
This legitimizes their cruel actions and makes society reliant on their knowledge

Question 3

What is moral panic?

Answer 3

Whipping up a storm in the media to demonise people who threaten you or to distract everyone from your criminal actions
This can also allow a change of political agenda that benefits the ruling class