Marxist Theories of Crime

Capitalism is criminogenic

Point:

Marxists argue that capitalism causes crime because it is inherently criminogenic—meaning it creates the conditions that make crime inevitable.

Evidence:

Gordon (1976) claims that crime is a rational response to the values promoted by capitalism, such as greed, profit, competition, and materialism. He argues that these pressures exist across society, which is why crime is found in all social classes, even though official statistics tend to focus on working-class crime.

Explain:

Capitalism creates inequality and poverty, which may drive the working class to commit crimes out of necessity (e.g. theft or drug dealing). At the same time, middle- and upper-class individuals may commit white-collar or corporate crimes driven by capitalist values like success and profit maximisation.

Link:

This supports the Marxist view that crime is not just about individual choice but is shaped by the structure of capitalist society, making crime an inevitable outcome of exploitation and inequality.

Evaluate:

However, critics argue that not all poor people turn to crime, and that Marxism overemphasises economic factors, ignoring free will and non-economic crimes such as domestic violence or hate crime.

Selective law making

Point:

Marxists argue that laws are selectively made and enforced in ways that benefit the ruling class and protect their interests, rather than serving justice equally.

Evidence:

Box (1983) highlights that the ruling class often engage in harmful acts—such as corporate fraud, negligent health and safety practices, and environmental damage—yet these acts are rarely treated as criminal, even when they lead to death or injury. Similarly, Snider argues that capitalist states are reluctant to pass laws that restrict the power of big businesses, as doing so could threaten profits and reduce political donations.

Explain:

This means that the law tends to criminalise the working class while ignoring or decriminalising white-collar and corporate crimes committed by the elite. This reflects how the law operates as an ideological state apparatus, protecting capitalism by giving the illusion of fairness while maintaining class inequality.

Link:

Selective law making supports the Marxist claim that the criminal justice system serves capitalist interests, reinforcing social control and protecting the power of the elite.

Evaluate:

However, critics argue that this view is too deterministic, ignoring laws that have been passed to protect workers or consumers, and underestimating the role of public pressure in holding corporations to account.

Selective law making

Point:

Marxists argue that the criminal justice system enforces the law selectively, punishing the working class more harshly while often ignoring or excusing the crimes of the rich and powerful.

Evidence:

Reiman (2001) highlights that although the ruling class are more likely to commit serious crimes—such as tax evasion, corporate fraud, or environmental harm—these are less likely to be treated as criminal offences. In contrast, social security fraud, typically committed by the poor, almost always results in prosecution and punishment.

Explain:

This shows how the law is applied unequally, reinforcing class inequality and maintaining capitalist control. Working-class individuals are criminalised and monitored more closely, while the crimes of the elite are often under-policed, under-reported, or settled privately.

Link:

Selective law enforcement supports the Marxist argument that the justice system acts as a tool of the ruling class, helping to legitimise social inequality and create the false impression that crime is mainly a working-class problem.

Evaluate:

However, critics argue that this view is too simplistic, as some powerful individuals and companies are punished, especially in high-profile cases. Others also point out that ethnicity, gender, and age also affect how laws are enforced, not just class.

Ideological function

Point:

Marxists argue that the law performs ideological functions by giving the illusion that it benefits everyone equally, when in reality it helps to maintain ruling class power and control.

Evidence:

Pearce points out that some laws appear to protect the working class, such as health and safety regulations or the 2007 Corporate Homicide Act. However, these laws are rarely enforced in practice. For example, in the first eight years after the Act was introduced, there was only one successful prosecution. This suggests that the law serves to legitimise capitalism rather than genuinely protect workers.

Explain:

The media often portrays criminals as individuals who are disturbed or immoral, rather than exposing the structural causes of crime like poverty or exploitation under capitalism. This distracts people from seeing how capitalist inequality contributes to crime and helps to prevent revolution or resistance.

Link:

This supports the Marxist view that the legal system functions ideologically by promoting false consciousness, making inequality seem fair or unavoidable while maintaining the status quo.

Evaluate:

However, critics argue that not all laws benefit the ruling class, and public pressure or democratic processes can sometimes result in laws that genuinely protect the working class. Functionalists would also argue that laws reflect shared values, not just class interests.

• Ignores other causes of crime

• Marxism focuses on class inequalities and ignores other inequalities that can lead to crime such as gender and ethnicity. Also completely ignore other causes of crime outside of inequality.

• Passive Working Class / Romanticises Criminals

Suggests that the working class cannot help but commit crime due to the economic circumstance.

Also suggests that criminals are not to blame but the society in which they live has caused their behaviour.

Crime in communist states

If crime was a symptom of capitalism then communist states would be crime free. This was not the case in Soviet Russia and Cuba.

Ignores the victims of the crime.

Most of the victims of crime are the poor and working class, if Marxist views were accurate then the ruling class would be victims.

Lawmakers in modern democracies are elected.

Modern democracies and law makers are elected by the electorate and include a range of interests. Also most criminal laws are not controversial and there is a consensus regarding the greater good.