Marxist view

• Do Marxists see crime and deviance is society as positive or negative?

  They don't think it plays a positive role in society unlike the functionalists
• Does crime and deviance play a positive role for the ruling class?

  yes
• What do Marxist focus on explaining about the middle class?


  White collar crimes and cooperate crime committed by the MC
• What is Party gate?

  There were 16 parties on Downing Street mid 2020 when everyone was in a lockdown. This is an example of white collar
• What is the post office scandal?

  It happened on an industrial scale causing multiple workers to be prosecuted or loose their jobs due to the introduction of a new network intended to help sort accounts. But holes would appear and force the worker to pay money in order to make it right.
• Who do Marxists argue work together on behalf of the ruling class?

  The police and CJS
• What does Althusser describe that law is part of the super structure of society?

  As part of the ideological state apparatus which helps to justify or hide social class inequality.
• when does inequality start?

  In the economic structure and then the law helps to ensure that the WC don't challenge the unjust organisation of capitalist society.
• What would Marxists argue the role of the CJS is?

  To criminalise the WC behaviour, by justifying the introduction of more repressive laws, the heavier policing of WC areas, and the imprisonment of WC people.
• What did Stephen Box suggest?

  He said that the law reflects the interests of the ruling class.
• What happens to offences committed by the middle class?

  They aren't clearly defined as criminal
• What is an example of an offence committed by the MC?

  Partygate
• What happens to those who commit 'benefit fraud'?

  They will face court and prison time
• What happens to those who commit tax fraud?

  They rarely face court and are simply 'invited' to pay back what is owed without fear of being given a criminal record.
• What did Stephen Box suggest about the ruling class?

  He said that the ruling class has the power to prevent laws being passed which are not in their interest
• What is an example of laws being passed?

  Deaths of workers due to health and safety violations are defined as civil rather than criminal offences.
• What does Box say the ruling class is capable to do?

  Kill, injure, main, or steal from ordinary people.
• What are these 'criminal' acts committed by the powerful end up being?

  They tend to end up not being defined as criminal. The acts are not covered by criminal law.
• What did Philip Green do?

  he was stealing pensions of BHS staff.
• What is the Zeebrugge ferry disaster?

  it happend on March 6th 1987 and the ferry capsized.
• Why did the ferry capsize?

  Due to water flooding into the ferry as the Bow door was left open by the assistant and the captain didn't check to see if it was closed.
• How many people died on this ferry?

  193 people
• Were those who were responsible for the capsizing prosecuted?

  No, they got a warning
• What may cause a culture of envy?

  The capitalist emphasis on wealth may cause this among the poor due to growing inequality with resentful hostility, grievance and violence
• What may fuel non economic crimes?

  Failure and humiliation occurring daily due to capitalism
• What are some examples of non economic crimes?

  Drug addiction and domestic violence
• What are WC women prone too?

  Domestic violence due to stress over money
• Who Do they think the law is made for?

  By the ruling class to criminalise the deviant activities of the WC but rarely labels the deviant activities of the MC as criminal
• What did Gold straw white find?


  Those convicted of cooperate crime rarely viewed themselves as criminal
• What I a meant by cultural hegemony?

  WC recieved the message that their actions are criminal but MC wrong doing is not