Marxism

Question 1

What type of theory is it?

Answer 1

A sociological theory, social structure

Question 2

What does this theory believe causes crime?

Answer 2

Capitalism in society causes inequality which leads to crime

Question 3

What is the inequality between?

Answer 3

The upper class (bourgeoisie) and the working class (proletariat)

Question 4

What does the Bourgeoisie do?

Answer 4

Control the wealth of society and exploit the proletariat

Question 5

Why does inequality cause the working class to commit crime?

Answer 5

They may feel envious and hostile towards the upper class ( causes crime such as theft).
It’s a logical response to the poverty and break the law to try to change their lives.

Question 6

What causes the upper class to commit crime and the working class to be caught more?

Answer 6

Selective law enforcement.

Question 7

What does selective law enforcement cause?

Answer 7

The police focus more time in investigating the working class as the upper class control the police.
This leads to them catching the working class more whilst upper class crime is ignored.

Question 8

What are the strengths of this theory?

Answer 8

Explains why crime is committed by both the upper and lower class. This means it doesn’t ignore the fact that both classes will commit crime.
It understands the impact of selective law enforcement and under-policing of upper class. Proven by statistics of stop-and-searches.

Question 9

What are the weaknesses of this theory?

Answer 9

It ignores other ways that society is unequal such as gender or ethnicity. It makes society more simplistic than it is.
There are capitalist countries with low crime rates (Sweden).