Marxist Theories of Crime and Deviance

What are the reasons for capitalism being criminogenic?

• Capitalism inherently leads to crime due to the exploitation of the working class

• Crime is a rational response to capitalism

How does capitalism lead to crime?

• It causes a growing divide between the rich and the poor, potentially driving the poor to commit crimes to afford necessities.

• The frustration from exploitation can result in violent behaviour. (Gordon, 1976)

Why is crime a rational response to capitalism?

Greed, profit-seeking, capitalism, and materialism contribute to crime across all social classes, contrary to official statistics.

What are reasons for selective law enforcement?

• The criminal justice system applies laws differently to various social groups.

• The ruling class is more likely to commit crimes but less likely to face criminal charges.

Why does cjs apply differently to different social groups?

The working class and ethnic minorities are often criminalised, while the powerful and wealthy are more likely to be excused or ignored. (Reiman, 2001)

Why is the ruling class more likely to commit crime and less likely to be charged?

Social security fraud committed by the poor usually leads to prosecution, but tax evasion often goes unpunished.

What is selective law making?

Laws are socially constructed to favour the rich and powerful.

What does box say about selective law enforcement?

He argues that the rich often engage in activities resulting in death, injury, fraud, and theft, but these activities are protected by law, for example, through weak health and safety regulations.

What did Chambliss say about selective law making?

He argues that the law is shaped to protect the property and profits of the rich and powerful and that the rich and powerful are part of a crime syndicate.

What does Snider say about selective law making?

He points out that governments are reluctant to pass laws regulating business activities or threatening profitability, as this could affect donations.

What are the features of ideological functions of crime?

• Crime provides a justification for social control by the ruling class to prevent revolution

• Pearce notes that laws are sometimes passed that appear to benefit the working class but ultimately benefit the ruling class through loopholes and a lack of enforcement

How does crime provide a justification for social control by the ruling class to prevent revolution?

The media often portrays criminals as 'disturbed' rather than highlighting capitalism's role in causing crime.

What is an example of a law which seemed to benefit the working class but ultimately benefited the ruling class through loopholes and lack of enforcement?

The 2007 corporate homicide law resulted in only one successful prosecution in its first eight years.

What is an evaluation of Marxist view of crime and deviance?

• Ignores other cause of crime

• Passive working class/ romanticises criminals

• Crime in comunist states

• Ignores the victims of crime

• Lawmakers in modern democracies are elected

Why does the Marxist view of crime and deviance ignore other causes of crimes?

Marxism primarily focuses on class inequalities and neglects other inequalities, such as those based on gender and ethnicity, that can also lead to crime.

Why do the Marxist view of crime and deviance say the working class are passive and romanticise criminals?

• It suggests that the working class is compelled to commit a crime due to economic circumstances.

• It implies that criminals are not responsible for their actions but are victims of their environment.

What does the Marxist view of crime and deviance say about crime in communist states?

If crime were solely a symptom of capitalism, communist states should be crime-free, but this was not the case in places like Soviet Russia and Cuba.

Why does the Marxist view of crime and deviance ignore victims of crime?

The poor and working class are often the victims of crime, contradicting the Marxist view that the ruling class would be the primary victims.

What does the Marxist view of crime and deviance say about how lawmakers in modern democracies are elected?

• In modern democracies, lawmakers are elected and represent a range of interests.

• Most criminal laws are not controversial and reflect a consensus regarding the greater good.