Examine Some Of The Ways In Which Marxi
Examine some of the ways in which Marxists explain crime. (12 marks)
Ttraditional Marxists see crime as inevitable in capitalist society because it breeds poverty, ccompetition and greed. All classes commit crime, but because the ruling class control the state, they make and enforce laws in their own interests, criminalising the working class while escaping punishment for their corporate crimes. Traditional Marxism is criticised for ignoring non-class inequalities that affect crime and for determinism whereas neo-Marxism is less deterministic and sees crime as a conscious and meaningful choice with a political move- a rebellion against capitalism.
Traditional Marxist view of crime
Based on three main elements:
1. Criminogenic Capitalism
Crime is inevitable because capitalism by its very nature it causes crime. It is based on the exploitation of the working class and this may give rise to crime:
Poverty may mean that crime is the only way the working class can survive.
Crime may be the only way they can obtain the consumer goods they are encouraged by advertising to buy, resulting in utilitarian crimes such as theft.
Alienation and lack of control over their lives may lead to frustration and aggression, resulting in non-utilitarian crimes such as violence and vandalism.
Crime is not confined to the working class. Capitalism encourages capitalists to commit white-collar and corporate crimes.
Gordon (1976): Crime is a rational response to the capitalist system and is found in all social classes.
2. The State and Law Making
Law making and law enforcement only serve the interests of the capitalist class.
Chambliss (1975): laws to protect private property are the cornerstone of the capitalist economy.
The ruling class also have the power to prevent the introduction of laws that would threaten their interests.
Snider (1993): The capitalist state is reluctant to pass laws that regulate the activities of businesses or threaten their profitability.
3.
Ttraditional Marxists see crime as inevitable in capitalist society because it breeds poverty, ccompetition and greed. All classes commit crime, but because the ruling class control the state, they make and enforce laws in their own interests, criminalising the working class while escaping punishment for their corporate crimes. Traditional Marxism is criticised for ignoring non-class inequalities that affect crime and for determinism whereas neo-Marxism is less deterministic and sees crime as a conscious and meaningful choice with a political move- a rebellion against capitalism.
Traditional Marxist view of crime
Based on three main elements:
1. Criminogenic Capitalism
Crime is inevitable because capitalism by its very nature it causes crime. It is based on the exploitation of the working class and this may give rise to crime:
Poverty may mean that crime is the only way the working class can survive.
Crime may be the only way they can obtain the consumer goods they are encouraged by advertising to buy, resulting in utilitarian crimes such as theft.
Alienation and lack of control over their lives may lead to frustration and aggression, resulting in non-utilitarian crimes such as violence and vandalism.
Crime is not confined to the working class. Capitalism encourages capitalists to commit white-collar and corporate crimes.
Gordon (1976): Crime is a rational response to the capitalist system and is found in all social classes.
2. The State and Law Making
Law making and law enforcement only serve the interests of the capitalist class.
Chambliss (1975): laws to protect private property are the cornerstone of the capitalist economy.
The ruling class also have the power to prevent the introduction of laws that would threaten their interests.
Snider (1993): The capitalist state is reluctant to pass laws that regulate the activities of businesses or threaten their profitability.
3.