Criminogenic Capitalism (Marxist)

What is criminogenic capitalism?

• Marxists suggest that capitalism is responsible for much of the crime committed in society

• Bonger (1916) suggested that by its very design, capitalism was criminogenic

• Capitalism creates false needs whilst simultaneously denying people the means to achieve these

How does criminogenic capitalism happen?

• Advertising promotes goods and services

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• Capitalists keep wages low in order to maximise profit

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• People turn to crime in order to meet these ‘false needs’

What did Chambliss say in 1976?

• Crime is universal throughout the social-class system due to the individualistic and utilitarian nature of capitalism

• Working-class criminals have limited means to commit crimes and gravitate towards violent acts and exploitation of weaker individuals

• The ruling class has unlimited means and so can commit more subtle forms of crime- such as corporate crime

What did Gordon say in 1976?

• Capitalism is a ‘dog eat dog’ society and competition-generated leads to criminal activities

• Crime is a rational act in order to get ahead of others in competing positions

• Particularly in the USA, with a reduced welfare safety net, This means working class commit crime to survive

What did Mankoff say in 1976?

• Crime is higher in the USA than in European nations due to higher welfare spending

• Citizens in Europe feel protected by the state and so do not need to commit crimes

• Basic needs are met, such as healthcare, food, child support

What did Snider say in 1993?

• Capitalism encourages corporate crimes through competition- firms will break the law to post higher profits

• Street crimes cost less than corporate crimes, such as insider trading, money laundering and fraudulent accounting

• In her research, street crime cost $4 billion, compared to the $325 billion bailout of banks

What is the evaluation of Criminogenic capitalism?

• Structural inequality caused by the capitalist system has been cited by many as a reason for crime- e.g. Merton, Left Realists

• Doesn’t explain why working-class criminals do not target higher classes for criminal activity

• Doesn’t explain why some working-class people do not turn to crime despite precarious financial situations