Marxism Theories

• Marxism argues that unequal structure of capitalism shapes peoples behaviour
• Capitalism Causes Crime:

  • Crime is inevitable for Marxists, because capitalism is criminogenic (causes crime)
  • Exploitation of working class leads them to poverty meaning they may commit crime to help themselves.
  • Capitalism pushes consumer goods to the population so they commit crimes to go in them as they become desperate.
• Making and Enforcing Law:

  • Marxists see the law as a system to benefit the rich
  • William Chambliss argues that laws against homeless, squatting etc, are to control the poor, but no laws to stop the rich owning multiple homes.
  • Marxists argue that selective law enforcement means white collar crime goes unpoliced.
• Ideological Functions:

  • Marxists argue the ideology of crime is to hide inequality in society, putting blame for deviant behaviour on the criminal rather than on those responsible for inequality.
  • Selective law enforcement shows the working class as more criminal