Marxist theories of Crime and Deviance

Capitalism is criminogenic

Crime is inevitable in Capitalism because crime is criminogenic- by its very nature, it causes crime. Capitalism is based on the exploitation of the w/c- using them as a means to an end (profit). Crime may be the only way they can obtain the consumer goods encouraged by capitalist advertising, resulting in utilitarian crimes such as theft. Alienation and lack of control over their lives may lead to frustration and aggression, resulting in utilitarian crimes such as violence and vandalism.

What is the Marxist explanation of corporate crime and what does Gordon say?

The need to win at all costs or go out of business, along with the desire for self-enrichment, encourages capitalists to commit white-collar and corporate crimes, such as tax evasion and breaches of health and safety laws.

Gordon argues that crime is a rational response to the capitalist system, and hence it is found in all social classes- even though the official statistics make it appear to be largely a w/c phenomenon. Capitalism is a dog-eat-dog system of ruthless competition among capitalists, while the profit motive encourages a mentality of greed and self-interest.

Selective enforcement

Marxists agree with labelling theorists that although all classes commit crimes when it comes to the application of law by the CJS, there is selective enforcement. While powerless groups such as the w/c and minority ethnic groups are criminalised, the police and courts tend to ignore the crimes of the powerful.

What does Reiman say (selective law enforcement)?

The more likely a crime is to be committed by the u/c, the less likely it is to be treated as an offence. There is a much higher rate of prosecutions for the typical ‘street’ crimes that poor people commit, such as burglary and assault. Crimes committed by the higher classes, like serious tax evasion, the CJS takes a more forgiving view.

Selective law making

Chambliss argues that selective lawmaking and enforcement as only serving the interests of the capitalist class. The ruling class also have the power to prevent the introduction of laws that would threaten their interests.

The ideological functions of crime

Laws are occasionally passed that appear to be for the benefit of the w/c rather than capitalism, such as workplace health and safety laws.

What does Pearce say (ideological functions of crime)?

He argues that such laws often benefit the ruling class too, for e.g, by keeping workers fit for work. By giving capitalism a ‘caring face’, such laws also create false class consciousness among the workers. The state enforces the law selectively; crime appears to be largely a w/c phenomenon.

Evaluations

• It is too deterministic and over-predicts the amount of crime in the w/c: not all poor people commit crime, despite the pressures of poverty.

• The CJS does sometimes act against the interests of the capitalist class. For example, prosecutions for corporate crime do occur. However, Marxists argue that such occasional prosecutions serve an ideological function, making the system appear impartial.

• Left-realists argue that Marxism ignores intra-class crimes (where both the criminal and victims are w/c), which causes great harm to the victims.

Neo-Marxist theory of Crime

Fully Social Theory of Deviance- Taylor, Walton, and Young:

• Critical of traditional Marxism as they saw it as economically deterministic.

• They combined labelling theory and Marxism- they saw capitalism as leading to crime, but they also saw criminals as having agency (choice).

• People choose to break the law; it is a voluntaristic act. Crime is a deliberate act with political motives. E.g property crime can be seen as the redistribution of wealth. These criminals challenge capitalism.