Crime - Marxist Theories

Question 1

What do traditional Marxists argue about capitalism?

Answer 1

Capitalism is criminogenic - capitalist values breed crime

This means that the characteristics of capitalism, such as consumerism and profit-driven motives, lead to criminal behaviors.

Question 2

What is the primary importance placed by capitalism according to traditional Marxism?

Answer 2

Money, profit, and consumerism

These values generate feelings of greed and self-interest among individuals.

Question 3

What types of crimes do all social classes commit according to traditional Marxism?

Answer 3

Utilitarian crimes for money

These crimes are committed to achieve the goals of capitalism, such as acquiring money and goods.

Question 4

What is the first key argument of traditional Marxism?

Answer 4

Consumerism and greed

Capitalism fosters a culture where individuals are socialized to desire more consumer goods.

Question 5

How are children socialized to value consumerism?

Answer 5

Through family spending and advertisements

Families encourage children to see consumer goods as normal and desirable, and advertisements create ‘false needs’.

Question 6

What is a consequence of the ‘culture of envy’ among the working classes?

Answer 6

Many turn to crime to acquire goods they feel they must have

This includes crimes like shoplifting or burglary due to the inability to afford desired items.

Question 7

What motivates the middle classes to commit white-collar crimes?

Answer 7

Desire to win and be the best

Middle class individuals may commit fraud and other crimes to achieve wealth and success.

Question 8

What is the second key argument of traditional Marxism?

Answer 8

Laws benefit the ruling class

Laws are created and enforced to protect the interests of the ruling class.

Question 9

How do laws serve to maintain the power of the ruling class?

Answer 9

By keeping the working class in false class consciousness

This prevents the working class from challenging their societal position.

Question 10

What example is given of a law that benefits the ruling class?

Answer 10

Laws on private property

These laws are established to protect the property owned by the ruling class.

Question 11

According to traditional Marxism, what is the effect of health and safety laws?

Answer 11

They benefit the ruling class by keeping workers fit and healthy

This ensures that workers can continue to generate profit for the ruling class.

Question 12

Fill in the blank: According to traditional Marxism, capitalism creates a culture of _______.

Answer 12

envy

Question 13

True or False: All classes commit crimes that are utilitarian in nature according to traditional Marxism.

Answer 13

True

Question 14

What do functionalists argue about laws?

Answer 14

Laws benefit everyone and enable society to run smoothly by reducing workplace injuries and ensuring treatment.

Question 15

What is selective policing?

Answer 15

The police target and arrest working-class offenders, such as benefit cheats and shoplifters, who fit the stereotype of a criminal.

Question 16

According to traditional Marxists, why do the police focus on working-class offenders?

Answer 16

To shift public attention away from the ruling class, who commit more harmful crimes.

Question 17

What are corporate crimes?

Answer 17

Offences committed by large companies that directly benefit the company, such as tax evasion.

Question 18

What is false class consciousness?

Answer 18

The working class believes all criminals are street criminals, allowing the ruling class to evade accountability.

Question 19

What was the outcome of zero tolerance policing in Baltimore?

Answer 19

Working-class black people were frequently arrested for petty crimes due to fitting the police stereotype.

Question 20

How does the criminal justice system treat middle-class offenders compared to working-class offenders?

Answer 20

Middle-class offenders are more likely to receive lighter sentences or warnings.

Question 21

What factors contribute to leniency towards middle-class offenders?

Answer 21

• Attitudes within the criminal justice system
• Economic capital to hire top lawyers
• Cultural capital to influence outcomes

Question 22

Fill in the blank: Middle-class offenders often use their _______ to get cases dropped or receive lighter sentences.

Answer 22

economic capital

Question 23

True or False: The police assume middle-class crimes are often out of character for the offender.

Answer 23

True

Question 24

What example illustrates the use of cultural capital by middle-class parents?

Answer 24

Convincing the police that their child is sorry and will stay out of trouble.

Question 25

What is an example of class bias in the criminal justice system?

Answer 25

A US judge in 2018 showed bias in favor of a white middle-class teenage boy who filmed himself raping a drunk girl at a party. ## Footnote The judge dismissed the case, citing the boy's good family background and excellent grades as reasons for leniency.

Question 26

What is economic determinism in relation to crime?

Answer 26

The belief that money is not the only reason behind crime; other motives include revenge or excitement. ## Footnote This concept challenges the idea that economic status is the sole driver for criminal behavior.

Question 27

Who is Cicourel and what is his theory regarding police focus?

Answer 27

Cicourel is a labelling theorist who argues that police concentrate on working-class offenders and are influenced by stereotypes of the 'typical delinquent'. ## Footnote He describes a 'negotiation of justice' where police actions are biased based on social class.

Question 28

What is a contradiction in Marxist theory regarding crime?

Answer 28

Marxists claim recorded crime results from biased policing while also arguing that the working class is forced into crime due to Capitalism. ## Footnote This creates a paradox in understanding the relationship between social class and criminal behavior.

Question 29

What does Becker argue about moral entrepreneurs?

Answer 29

Becker argues that moral entrepreneurs help keep white-collar crimes hidden by focusing media coverage on street crimes. ## Footnote This leads to public perception that working-class offenders are the true criminals, obscuring the actions of the middle and ruling classes.

Question 30

Fill in the blank: According to Cicourel, there is a _______ of justice influenced by police stereotypes.

Answer 30

negotiation

Question 31

True or False: Marxists believe all crime is a result of economic status.

Answer 31

False

Question 32

What stereotype influences police action according to Cicourel?

Answer 32

The stereotype of the 'typical delinquent' who comes from a low-income, working-class background. ## Footnote This stereotype leads to more formal actions being taken against offenders fitting this profile.

Question 33

What do Neo-Marxists argue is the cause of crime?

Answer 33

Crime is a result of Capitalism and inequalities in wealth and power ## Footnote They believe that laws are created and enforced in the interests of the ruling class.

Question 34

Do Neo-Marxists believe that the working class is forced into crime?

Answer 34

No, they believe people have free will and choose to commit crime ## Footnote They argue that the working class are not passive victims of Capitalism.

Question 35

Who aimed to create a 'fully social theory of deviance'?

Answer 35

Taylor, Walton and Young ## Footnote They combined elements of Traditional Marxism and Labelling Theory.

Question 36

According to Taylor, Walton and Young, what underlies working class crime and deviance?

Answer 36

Inequalities in wealth and power ## Footnote This aligns with Traditional Marxist views.

Question 37

What theory emphasizes the importance of social reactions and the meaning attached to deviant acts?

Answer 37

Labelling Theory ## Footnote Taylor, Walton and Young agreed with this theory.

Question 38

What did Hall study in relation to muggings in the 1970s?

Answer 38

Muggings from society as a whole down to street level ## Footnote His study applied the fully social theory of deviance.

Question 39

What crisis did the UK face in the 1970s, according to Hall?

Answer 39

An economic and political crisis ## Footnote This led to high unemployment and homelessness.

Question 40

What term refers to the dominance and acceptance of ruling class ideas by the rest of society?

Answer 40

Hegemony ## Footnote Hall discussed a crisis of hegemony during the 1970s.

Question 41

Who was chosen as a scapegoat for society's problems during the 1970s crisis?

Answer 41

The black mugger ## Footnote This shifted attention away from the real cause, which was Capitalism.

Question 42

What effect did media reports have on public perception of crime in the 1970s?

Answer 42

Created a moral panic ## Footnote The black mugger became a folk devil.

Question 43

What was justified by the moral panic surrounding black crime?

Answer 43

More aggressive and repressive policing against the black community ## Footnote This included increased stop and searches.

Question 44

What was the public's perception of black youths during the moral panic?

Answer 44

They were seen as a threat ## Footnote This led to growing distrust and hostility towards the police.

Question 45

What does Hall's study illustrate about the processes involved in crime?

Answer 45

The combination of economic conditions, labelling, societal reaction, and moral panics ## Footnote This contributes to a 'fully social theory of deviance'.

Question 46

What contemporary issue does Hall's study highlight regarding police interactions with the black community?

Answer 46

Negative stereotyping and conflict still exists today ## Footnote For example, black people are 8 times more likely to be stopped and searched in the UK.

Question 47

What does the absence of a 'crisis of hegemony' today suggest about Hall's explanation?

Answer 47

It suggests that the explanation may be inadequate ## Footnote The specific socio-political context of the 1970s is not replicated today.