marxism/neo-marxism/social class

snider

believes criminology focuses on the wrong crimes

dominant ideology focuses on street crime

snider suggests this is a distortion purposely set up by the bourgeoisie to distract away from the types of crimes which the bourgeoisie commit, such as white collar and corporate crime.

occupational crime and corporate crime

gordon

selective law enforcement

argues that selecting members of the working class and punishing them as individuals protects the system which is primarily responsible for their criminal deviance

individuals are defined as ‘social failures’ and as they are responsible for their criminal activities.

scraton

shows how deviant and criminal youth subcultures emerge as a legitimate resistance to oppression and exclusion

working classes are excluded from legitimate opportunities and exclusion

working classes are excluded from legitimate opportunities

youths are justified in politically justified in joining gangs and participating in alternative lifestyles that conflict with mainstream society.

marxists show that marginalised groups like the working class, ethnic minorities and females are resisting the external forces of capitalism.

hall

policing the crisis

argues there was a moral panic created about crime and in particular mugging by black youths.

suggest that there is no evidence to indicate that the crime of mugging was new or increasing, rather that it served a purpose to draw attention away from economic problem

combined marxist and interactionism