Topic 2 Marxism

Question 1

Define criminogenic capitalism

Answer 1

capitalism causes crime- poverty might mean that crime is the only way that the working class can survive. Alienation and a lack of control over their lives, may lead to frustration and aggression, resulting in non utilitarian crime.

Question 2

Define selective enforcement

Answer 2

powerless groups such as the working class and ethnic minorities are criminalised, the police end to ignore the crimes of the powerful

Question 3

Define state and law making

Answer 3

the bourgeoisie control what laws are created and passed and these reflect the interests of themselves and their ideology

Question 4

Define ideological functions

Answer 4

laws are occasionally passed that appear to benefit the working class rather than capitalism, such as workplace health and safety laws. these laws often benefit the bourgeoisie too by making their workers fit for work

Question 5

Define alienation

Answer 5

where an individual o group feel socially isolated because they lack the power to control their own lives and realise their true potential - working class go on to commit non-utilitarian crimes like violent crimes

Question 6

Define white collar crime

Answer 6

a crime committed by a person of high respectability and high social status in the course of their operation, for example, fraud and embezzlement

Question 7

Define corporate crime

Answer 7

crimes committed by employees for their organisation in pursuit of its goals, for example, miss-selling products to increase company profits

Question 8

Define critical criminology

Answer 8

a theory which combines traditional marxist views with ideas from other approaches such as labelling theory

Question 9

Define anti-determinism

Answer 9

this view reject explanations that claim crime is caused solely by economic factors. They take a more voluntaristic view and believe crime is a meaningful action and a conscious crime

Question 10

What does Gordon argue about crime?

Answer 10

Gordon argues that crime is a rational response to the capitalist system and hence it is found in all social classes, even though official statistics make it appear that crime is a working class phenomenon

Question 11

Do marxists believe that crime statistics are true?

Answer 11

Marxists don’t believe statistics are true because they ignore white collar crime, and make it appear that crime is a working class phenomenon

Question 12

What do marxists believe about crime?

Answer 12

• Crime is not confined to the working classes, they argue capitalism is a ‘dog eat dog’ system of ruthless competition among capitalists which encourages greed and self-interest. Marxists argue this encourages corporate and white collar crime.
• Crime is the only way for wc to obtain consumer goods encouraged by capitalist advertising, resulting in utilitarian crimes such as theft

Question 13

What does Chambliss argue about the state and law making?

Answer 13

Chambliss argues the law exists to protect private property and are the cornerstone of the capitalist economy. The law is biased in favour of the capitalism and the middle class

Question 14

How does the state and law making feed capitalism?

Answer 14

• The law is biased in favour of capitalism and the middle class
• Laws restrict the actions of employees to strike
• There are few laws that limit the power of businesses

Question 15

What does Snider argue about the state and law making?

Answer 15

Snider argues that the capitalist state is reluctant to pass laws that regulate the activities of businesses or threaten their profitability.