Marxist theories of crime and deviance

WJEC essay plans for Marxist theories of crime and deviance.

introduction

a structural conflict theory based on the ideas of Karl Marx. society is capitalist; bourgeioisie and proletariat.

crimes of the powerful

white-collar crime and corporate crime, are often overlooked but can be far more damaging than street crime. ruling class controls the law, shaping it to serve their interests and protect their power. control crime enforcement, less likely to be caught and punished for their crimes.

capitalism is criminogenic

inherently generates crime. heavy emphasis on commodity consumption, creates a culture of envy and greed which can encourage criminal behaviour. generates significant economic and social inequality, which can lead to anomie, alienation, and crime.

selective law enforcement

laws are enforced more strictly against the lower classes. CJS is biased, favouring the rich and powerful, overlooking their crimes while punishing the less powerful disproportionately. unequal application serves to maintain existing power structures and wider systemic inequality.

false consciousness and ideological control

bourgeoisie uses institution of law to exert ideological control, promoting a false consciousness among the working-class and diverting attention from the true nature of class conflict. media plays a role in this ideological control, focusing on working-class crime and downplaying the crimes of the powerful.

conclusion

highlights how social structures related to capitalism can influence individuals criminal behaviour. emphasises the role of social inequality, influence of the powerful, and systemic bias of law enforcement in the occurrence handling of crime and deviance. economic determinist, underestimates individual agency in crime and deviance.