Neo-Marxist Theories of Crime and Deviance

What is the fully social theory?

Aims for a comprehensive understanding of crime and deviance to better society.

What are elements of a fully social theory of crime?

1. Wider Origins of the Deviant Act: Examines societal factors contributing to the initial impulse toward deviance.

2. Immediate Origins of the Deviant Act: Focuses on the direct triggers or circumstances leading to the act.

3. The Act Itself: Analyses the specific deviant behaviour.

4. Immediate Origins of the Social Reaction: Investigates the direct responses to the act.

5. Wider Origins of Social Reaction: Looks at the broader societal context shaping reactions to deviance.

6. The Effect of Labelling: Studies the consequences of being labelled as deviant.

What are application to Hall (1978) Policing the crisis?

• 1970s Social crisis

• Social issues

• Mugging and Racial bias

• Media and Racism

• Scapegoating

• Injustice and Mistrust

What is the 1970s Social crisis?

The decade as a period of instability and social unrest.

What are social issues discussed in Hall (1978) book policing the crisis?

It mentions inner-city riots, conflict in Northern Ireland, and strikes as examples of social issues during the 1970s.

What is the link between mugging and racial bias?

Highlights police claims that mugging was more likely to be committed by African-Caribbean men.

What is the link between media and racism?

Notes on media outrage over muggings and racism within the Metropolitan Police.

What is scapegoating?

Emphasises the need to find a scapegoat and the ease with which African-Caribbean men could be blamed.

What is the link between injustice and mistrust?

Addresses the sense of injustice among ethnic minorities and their loss of confidence in the criminal justice system.

What is the Neo-Marxists’ agreement with traditional Marxism?

• Capitalism and Exploitation

• State and Ruling Class

• Classless Society

What is the link between Capitalism and Exploitation?

Both agree that capitalism is based on exploitation and class conflict, which is key to understanding crime.

What is the link between the State and Ruling class?

Both agree that the state creates and enforces laws to benefit the ruling class.

What is a classless society?

Both advocate for replacing capitalism with a classless society where crime would be greatly reduced.

What are voluntaristic aspects of crime?

• Conscious choice

• Political motives

• Active agents

• Free will

What is conscious choice?

Criminals make a conscious choice to commit a crime (meaningful action).

What are political motives?

Crime is driven by political motives to address inequalities in wealth.

What are active agents?

Criminals are not passive puppets of capitalism.

What is free will?

Highlights the role of free will in criminal behaviour.

What is the evaluation of Neo-Marxism?

• Rock (1988): Romantic view of criminals

• Hirst (1975): Deviation from traditional marxism

• Feminist Criticism: Gender blindness

• Motivations for crime

• Practical application

What did Rock (1988) say about romantic view of criminals?

Argues that Neo-Marxism overly romanticises criminals as Robin Hoods fighting an unjust system. Left Realism points out that a majority of crime is against the working class, by the working class

What did Hirst (1975) say about deviation from traditional marxism?

Considers Neo-Marxism as having strayed too far from traditional Marxism to be considered linked.

What is the feminist criticism of gender blindness?

Points out that the theory is gender-blind and applies the same explanations to both men and women, despite differing motivations.

What are motivations for crime?

Not all crime is politically motivated; examples include domestic violence and rape, which aren't reactions to capitalist inequalities. Right realists argue that crime is opportunistic rather than a reaction to perceived injustice

What is a practical application for the evaluation of Neo-Marxist’s view of crime and deviance?

The theory is overly idealistic and difficult to apply to real life; Hall's work is the closest, but still contains conjecture.