Marxist views on crime

Question 1

What was Bonger’s (1916) theory of crime?

Answer 1

Crime can be explained by studying the ways in which the rich exploit the poor.

Question 2

Why do Marxists argue that capitalism is criminogenic?

Answer 2

Under capitalism, you need money to have a good life which causes social exclusion of poor people, as they are forced to commit crime because even by working hard people cannot get what they want.
Also causes crime in the upper class as they are greedy so cheat the system to get more.

Question 3

Why do Marxists argue that there is selective law enforcement?

Answer 3

The working class are more likely to be prosecuted for crime.
White-collar crimes are often overlooked, so it seems as if the working class commit more crime.

Question 4

Why do Marxists say that the law reflects ruling class interests and ideology?

Answer 4

The state describes serious crime as violence committed by working class rather than major harm caused by big corporations.

Question 5

What are the criticisms of the Traditional Marxist approach to crime?

Answer 5

They over emphasise the divide between the upper and working class and do not consider how different genders and races are treated.
Do not consider the victims of crime.
Unbalanced as they only focus on money and class.