Marxist theory (sociological)

Cards (7)

  • Marxism key ideas:
    • inequality = structural theory = unequal structure of capitalist society shapes behaviour including criminality
    • two classes = society is divided into bourgeoise and proletariat
    • societies institutions = all institutions including the law and criminal justice system work to support capitalism and keep working class in their place
  • capitalism causes crime:
    • exploitation = crime is only way for working class to survive as they live in poverty
    • consumerism = advertising pressures people into utilitarian crimes to get goods
    • alienation and frustration = inequality causes people too lash out and commit non utilitarian crimes
    • greed and profit motive = capitalism is a dog eat dog system and encourages corporate crimes to gain an advantage
  • making and enforcing the law:
    • Chambliss = laws are made to protect rich and wealthy
    • selective law enforcement = white collar and corporate crimes of rich are less likely to be prosecuted than working class
    • CARSON = out of 200 companies who had broken safety laws only 3 were prosecuted
  • Ideological functions of crime and law:
    • ideology = ideology that conceal inequality of capitalism
    • selective enforcement = divides working class by making them blame each other instead of capitalism for problems they face in society
    • diverts attention = nobody focuses on much more serious ruling class crimes
    • a caring face = laws that benefit working class such as health and safety laws. However it actually benefits capitalism and makes them seem caring
  • strengths of Marxism:
    1. shows how law making and enforcement is bias against working class and actually in favour of ruling class
    2. shows how poverty can cause working class crime and how capitalism promotes greed and encourages ruling class crime too
  • limitations of Marxism :
    • over predicts the amount of working class crime
    • focuses on class and not other factors that relate to crime such as gender or race
    • not all capitalist societies have high crime rates. However, Marxists point out that in countries with little welfare provision like the USA, the crime rates are higher
  • utilitarian crime = crimes used for financial gain