marxism and crime

• What do Marxists argue about the law?

  It is created and enforced unfairly.
• Who creates the laws in society according to Marxists?

  The upper class creates the laws.
• What is the purpose of the capitalist structure according to Marxists?

  To serve the interests of the bourgeoisie.
• How do Marxists view capitalism in relation to crime?

  They view it as criminogenic.
• What are three ways capitalism causes crime according to Marxists?

  Poverty, consumer goods access, alienation.
• How does poverty relate to crime in a capitalist society?

  It may lead to crime for survival.
• Why might crime be the only way to obtain consumer goods?

  Due to economic inequality and poverty.
• What feelings may lead to crime due to alienation?

  Frustration and aggression.
• How is the law made and enforced according to Marxists?

  To serve the interests of capitalists.
• What does Snider (1993) argue about capitalists and laws?

  They are reluctant to pass regulatory laws.
• How are laws selectively enforced?

  Powerless groups are criminalized.
• What is the perceived function of law and crime in society?

  They are functional parts of society.
• How does Pearce (1976) view laws that appear to benefit the working class?

  They also benefit the bourgeoisie.
• Why is crime seen as a working class phenomenon?

  Due to selective enforcement of laws.
• How does the media portray criminals?

  As disturbed individuals.
• What does Marxism explain about crime and capitalist society?

  It links law making to capitalist interests.
• What does Marxism largely ignore in its analysis of crime?

  Non-class inequalities like ethnicity and gender.
• How does the criminal justice system sometimes act against capitalists' interests?

  By punishing powerful individuals.
• What do left realists argue about Marxists' views on crime?

  They ignore inter-class crimes.
• What do Taylor et al (1973) agree with Marxists about?

  Capitalism is based on exploitation and inequalities.
• How do Taylor et al differ from traditional Marxists?

  They see crime as a result of free will.
• What two sources do Taylor et al draw from for their theory?

  Marxist ideas and interactionism.
• What are the six key aspects of the fully social theory of deviance?

  1. Wider origins of the deviant act
  2. Immediate origins of the deviant act
  3. The act itself
  4. Immediate origins of social reaction
  5. Wider origins of social reaction
  6. Effects of labelling
• What do feminists criticize about Taylor et al's work?

  It is gender blind, focusing on males.
• What do left realists argue about the portrayal of working class crime?

  It romanticizes offenders like Robin Hood.
• What do Walton and Young argue about critical criminology?

  It combats correctional bias effectively.
• What does Hopkins Burke (2005) argue about Taylor et al's theory?

  It is too general and idealistic.