Crime and Deviance - Marxism

Question 1

• crime is due to class inequalities and the distribution of wealth
• crime is a realistic and rational response to the inequalities experienced and may be necessary for survival, along with foodbanks and benefits

Answer 1

Gordon

Question 2

‘Dog eat dog’ system of ruthless competition, selfishness and greed
- capitalist values of individualism, materialism and consumerism have become more important that community and altruism (desire to help others) so crime is not surprising
- capitalism encourages a culture of envy

Answer 2

Chambliss

Question 3

law is an ideological state apparatus which functions in the interests of the RC

Answer 3

Althusser

Question 4

White collar crimes
Corporate/ state crimes
Blue collar crimes

even though white collar crime far outstrips annual value of blue collar crimes, its not regarded as a serious problem because:
- less visible and hidden from public gaze
- difficult to identify specific individuals responsible so can’t allocate blame
- fine line between morally acceptable and and unacceptable business practices

Answer 4

Hazel Croall

Question 5

A03 of traditional marxism

Answer 5

NEOMARXISTS criticise too deterministic
FEMINISTS - lacks to explain why crime is mainly committed by men
fails to explain why most people never break the law, even in a criminogenic society

Question 6

A03 Richard Wilkinson

Answer 6

Empirical data that shows clear link between inequality and crime
e.g USA and UK high inequality - high crime, Sweden and Japan low inequality - low crime