Sociology - C&D - Theories - Marxism Flashcards
What does Karl Marx believe about crime?
Crime and deviance does not have a function for the whole of society
Who does Marx thinks benefits from crime and deviance?
The bourgeoisie ruling class
What do Marxists look at in relation to explaining crime and deviance?
The type of laws that are passed and enforced and who benefits from these laws
What does Marxism think drives people to commit crime?
The capitalist system which is “criminogenic” (crime is a natural outcome)
What do marxists think the dominant ideologies are?
Ideas that suit the powerful bourgeoise and their interests and aim to put the powerless proletariat in place
Capitalist ideology
Presented as fact and makes up our reality so everyone accepts these ideas and fail to question whether they are true. Society is brainwashed into accepting these ideas and
What does Althusser (1970) state the proletariat is controlled by?
Two institutions; the RSA (Repressive State Apparatus) and the ISA (Ideological State Apparatus)
Repressive State Apparatus
Direct obvious and formal controls such as government, police and criminal justice system. can violently operate
Ideological State Apparatus
Indirect less obvious and informal, like family, media and religion, showing the public who are criminal/deviant and use these messages to scare and divide us
What do Marxists describe alienation as?
A sense of powerlessness, lack of control and disconnectedness felt by the proletariat due to exploitation
What does alienation drive people to do?
commit crime
What does Bonger (1916) state?
Much crime is caused by poverty, during economic depression the crime rate amongst the poor increases
What are the disadvantages of marxist theories of crime?
- Feminists disagree - Crime still exists without capitalism - Jones (2001) criticises
Why do feminists disagree with marxist theories of crime?
They put too much emphasis on class inequality and ignore the patriarchy and racism in the enforcement of laws
Why have marxists been criticised for stating that communism would remove crime from society?
Communism occurred in many Eastern European countries and Russia in the 60’s and 70’s but crime was still a problem so disproves the idea that crime is due to capitalism
Why does Jones criticise how Marxists view the ruling class?
They may not be a monopolising power and the role of power may be more complex as capitalists cannot always pass the laws and rules they want
What does Gordon (1973) look at?
The rational choice of crime
What does Gordon’s (1973) rational choice of crime theory suggest?
That crime is a rational response to situations that people find themselves in and capitalism creates the conditions for crime to occur (Ghetto crime) (Corporate crime)
What did Chambliss (1976) look at?
Capitalism and Crime
Why does Chambliss believe the capitalist economic system generates crime?
The desire to consume despite a lack of money, removes the proletariat as a surplus work force, enforcement of laws leads to idea that crime is concentrated in the lower classes
What is the advantage of gordon and chambliss’ work?
Supported by Slapper and Tombs (1999) - influenced neo marxism
Slapper and Tombs (1999)
Devised critical social science to explain the key features of marxist theory in relation to corporate crime.
What are the disadvantages of Gordon and Chambliss’ work?
- Functionalists would reject - Jones (2001) criticises
Why would functionalists reject marxist views (gordon and chambliss)
They don’t think there is class conflict and believe crime is inevitable
Why does Jones (2001) criticise marxist theories like gordon and chambliss?
Capitalism doesn’t always produce high crime rates as in Switzerland the country is very capitalist but crime rates are low
