Traditional Marxist views

What do Marxists think about official statistics and why?

They are skeptical given that they believe law enforcement disproportionately targets the proletariat and so stats cannot be taken at face value.

What three aspects are there to the traditional Marxist view of crime? (CLUE: CSI)

Crimogenic capitalism

State and laws

Ideological functions

What is the idea of Crimogenic Capitalism?

That capitalism, by its nature, generates crime via poverty, alienation and cultural pressure- the latter of which explains wealthier crimes.

What do Marxists think about the law?

They see it as solely serving the bourgeoise, claiming that it is selectively enforced and bigoted as a method of social control. Furthermore, the incredibly wealthy have sway over what laws get passed.

What do Marxists believe is the ideological function of crime?

It acts as a smoke screen to real issues, think Hall’s study of the moral panic around mugging in the 80s. It directs anger towards deviant individuals rather than the ruling class who deserve it.