Trad Marxism

Question 1

Trad Marxism

Answer 1

Capitalism is criminogenic. Which benefits the ruling class rather than the whole of society.

Question 2

Capitalism creates criminal motivation

Answer 2

Exploitation of the w/c. Working class commit more crime because they are living in poverty, stealing is the only way. Chambliss - capitalism encourages consumer greed. However, Gordon argues that crime is a rational response to the capitalist system.

Question 3

Law creation and enforcement is selective

Answer 3

Trad Marx argue that functionalists are wrong to assume that the law reflects the norms and values of everyone in society. Law enforcement reflects dominant ideology. Law creation/enforcement benefits the ruling class because it keeps the w/c from coming together and health and safety laws perform an ideological function.

Question 4

Ruling class crime is hidden

Answer 4

Sutherland discovered white collar and corporate crimes.

Question 5

Evaluation of Marxism: Positive

Answer 5

It highlights the impact of selective law enforcement and how crimes are under-policed. Marxists theories of crime draws attention to how inequality in society can lead to criminal behaviour.

Question 6

Evaluation of Marxism: Negative

Answer 6

Not all capitalist societies have high crime rates and the CJS does sometime work against the interest of the ruling classes.