Neo- Marxist Perspective

Elements of fully social theory of crime

• Taylor et al aim to create a ‘fully social theory of deviance’- a comprehensive understanding of crime and deviance that would better society. In their view a complete theory of deviance needs to unite six aspects:

  • The wider origins of the deviant act- in the unequal distribution of wealth and power in capitalist society. IE. The 1970’s was a time of social crisis.

  • The immediate origins of the deviant act- the particular context in which the individual decides to commit the act. IE. Inner city riots, conflict in NI, strikes, Government needed a scape goat.

  • The act itself- and its meaning for the actor- e.g. was it a form of rebellion against capitalism? Police suggest mugging is more likely to be done by African- Caribbean men.

  • The immediate origins of social reaction- the reactions of those around the deviant, such as police, family and community, to discovering the deviance. Media outrage at mugging at racism in the Met Police.

  • The wider origins of social reaction in the structure of capitalist society- especially the issue of who has the power to define actions as deviant and to label others, and why some acts are treated more harshly than others. They need to find a scapegoat and ease with which African- American men could be blamed.

  • The outcomes of the societal reaction on the deviants’ further actions. Sense of injustice and loss of confidence in the CJS among ethnic minorities.

Three ways neo- Marxists agree with Marxism:

1. The economy is the most important part of society and it is from this that crime is born.

2. Capitalism is to blame for crime as it causes inequality in society which is the root of crime.

3. If we are to eradicate crime we must see a move in society away from capitalism.

Four ways crime is considered voluntarist:

• Free will

• Political motivation

• Conscious choice and a meaningful action

• Not a passive puppet

Evaluation

• Feminists claim Taylor et al was gender blind as they focused on male crime.

• Ignores non property crime

• More a model than an approach