Marxist

• What does spritzer (1975) say about selective law enforcement?

  Spitzer (1975) argues deviants and criminals are ‘constructed’ when certain groups (working-class) create problems those who rule. Therefore any person who calls into question the social conditions under which capitalist production takes place are likely to find themselves subjected to a process of criminalisation.
• What were bongors main ideas?

  Criminal law exists to protect the interests of the powerful

  The dynamics of capitalism encourages egoism and greed which in turn motivates both the working and ruling-classes are prone to crime as they don’t care about each other

  Poverty prompts crime to the extent it creates a desperate need for food and other necessities
• • Crime is a reaction to poverty. Poverty may mean that crime is the only way the w/c can survive. Baby food is the most shoplifted item
• What did chambliss add on to bongors ideas? 

  • the ruling-class will violate laws with impunity while members of the subject class will be punished
  • acts are defined as criminal because it’s in the interests of the ruling-class to define them so
  • crime will persist in capitalist societies because such societies promote inequalities, class-conflict and penal laws expand accordingly
• How is capitalism crimiogenic?

  Capitalism is criminogenic because by its very nature it leads to crime as it causes exploitation of the working class. Capitalism leads to an ever increasing gap between the rich and poor and it is not surprising that the poor might turn to crime in order to afford the necessities. The frustration of exploitation can also lead to violence.
• How does Gordon support that capitalism is criminogenic?

  Gordon (1976) - Crime is a rational reaction to capitalist foci: Greed, Profit, Competition and materialism. Which is why it is found in all social classes despite what official statistics suggest.
• What does selective law enforcement mean?

  Selective law enforcement means that the criminal justice system applies the law to different social groups in different ways.

  Where as the working class and ethnic minorities are criminalised; the powerful and rich appear to get let off or ignored.
• What does reiman say about selective law enforcement?

  Reiman (2001): The ruling class are more likely to commit crime but less likely to have the offence treated as a criminal one.

  Example: Social security fraud is committed by the poor and almost always leads to prosecution but tax evasion doesn’t
• What does selective law enforcement making mean?

  Selective law making means that the laws themselves are socially constructed to benefit the rich and powerful.

  Box argues that the rich often engage in activities which result in death, injury, fraud and theft but the activities are protected under the law. – Health and Safety laws.
• What does snider say about selective law making ?

  Snider – Governments are reluctant to pass laws which will regulate the activities of businesses or threaten profitability as this will effect donations.
• What are the ideological functions of crime?

  The ideological functions of crime are to give a reason for the social control by the ruling class in order to prevent revolution from occurring. Criminals are often portrayed as ‘disturbed’ by the media rather than reveal the role that capitalism has in making people criminals.
• What does Pearce say about ideological functions of crime?

  laws are occasionally passed which on the surface look like they are to benefit the working class but the reality is that they still benefit the ruling class through loop holes and lack of prosecution.

  2007 corporate homicide law – in first 8 years only 1 successful prosecution.
• How is ignoring other causes of crime an evaluation ?

  Marxism focuses on class inequalities and ignores other inequalities that can lead to crime such as gender and ethnicity. Also completely ignore other causes of crime outside of inequality.
• How is Passive Working Class / romanticises Criminals an evaluation ?

  Suggests that the working class cannot help but commit crime due to the economic circumstance. Also suggests that criminals are not to blame but the society in which they live has caused their behaviour.
• How is Crime in communist states an evaluation ?

  If crime was a symptom of capitalism then communist states would be crime free. This was not the case in Soviet Russia and Cuba.
• How is Ignoring the victims of the crime an evaluation ?

  Most of the victims of crime are the poor and working class, if Marxist views were accurate then the ruling class would be victims.
• How is Law makers in modern democracies are elected an evaluation ?

  Modern democracies and law makers are elected by the electorate and include a range of interests. Also most criminal laws are not controversial and there is a consensus regarding the greater good.