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Strength: Recognises that crime can have positive functions.
Durkheim was the first sociologist to argue that crime is not just harmful but can also serve beneficial roles. He suggested that crime reinforces social norms by clarifying what is acceptable behaviour (boundary maintenance) and can lead to necessary social change when laws and values are challenged (adaptation and change). Without crime, society could stagnate.
Weakness: Does not specify how much crime is the "right amount."
Durkheim claims that a certain level of crime is necessary for society to function, but he provides no clear criteria for determining what constitutes a "healthy" or "functional" amount of crime. This makes his theory vague and impractical for policymakers, as it does not offer measurable guidance on crime prevention or intervention strategies.
Weakness: Crime is not functional for victims.
Victimologists and feminist criminologists criticise Durkheim for overlooking the harm crime causes to individuals. While he suggests crime can have positive functions, it often causes psychological trauma, financial loss, and social instability. This contradicts the idea that crime benefits society. Additionally, some crimes (e.g., domestic violence, sexual abuse) often do not lead to social change but instead reinforce oppression and inequality.
Weakness: Crime does not always promote social solidarity.
Durkheim suggests that crime unites communities against wrongdoing, but in reality, crime can have the opposite effect. Some victims may experience fear, leading them to isolate themselves rather than engage with society. Studies on high-crime neighbourhoods show that persistent crime can break down trust, reduce social cohesion, and lead to the withdrawal of businesses and public services, creating further social fragmentation.
Weakness: Does not explain why individuals commit crime.
Durkheim's macro-level theory explains why crime exists in all societies but does not account for individual motivations. He does not explore why some people commit crime while others in the same social environment do not. His focus on crime's function for society overlooks personal factors such as opportunity, upbringing, or psychological traits.
Weakness: Fails to acknowledge how laws serve the ruling class.
Marxists argue that laws are always created by the ruling class to protect their own interests rather than reflect shared values. This contradicts Durkheim's view that crime and punishment strengthen social cohesion, as some laws instead reinforce class inequality by criminalising the working class while allowing white-collar crime to go largely unpunished.
