Marxism Flashcards
(33 cards)
What is criminogenic capitalism?
Where capitalsim itself is criminogenic. This means that by its nature it causes crime.
How does the exploitation of the working class damaging to them? (3 ways)
It means that people in poverty have to commit crime in order to survive, crime may be the only way that they can obtain consumer goods encouraged by capitalism, and alienation and lack of control over their lives may lead to aggression and frustration, leading to non-utilitarian crimes.
What do Marxists call capitalism, and what does it encourage?
They call capitalism a ‘dog eat dog’ system of ruthless competition, which encourages greed and self-interest.
What crime is encouraged by greed and self-interest?
White collar crime and corporate crime.
What does Gordon argue?
That crime is a rational response to the capitalist system and hence it is found in all social classes- even though official statistics make it appear a working class phenomenon.
What do Marxists argue about law and law enforcement?
That it only serves in the interest of capitalism.
What does Chambliss argue?
That law exists to protect private property and are the cornerstone of the capitalist economy.
Who is the law biased in favour for?
The middle class and capitalism.
What does Snider argue?
That the capitalist state is reluctant to pass laws that regulate the activities of businesses or threaten their profitability.
Why are there fewer crimes of the ruling class?
Because crime of the powerful are ignored by the police.
How does the law, crime, and criminals perform ideological functions?
Laws are occasionally passed that appear to benefit the working class rather than capitalism e.g., workplace health and safety laws.
What does Pearce argue?
Such laws often benefit the ruling classes by keeping workers ‘fit for work’.
Why does crime appear to be a working class phenomenon?
Because of selective enforcement.
What does crime appearing to be a working class phenomenon encourage?
It encourages the working class to blame criminals for their problems rather than capitalism.
What is Neo-Marxism a combination of?
Traditional Marxism and labelling theory.
Why do Neo-Marxists say Marxism is deterministic?
Because it sees workers as driven to commit crime out of economic necessity.
What view do Neo-Marxists take?
A voluntaristic view.
What is the voluntaristic view?
That individuals have free will and crime is a meaningful action and a conscious choice by the actor.
How do Feminists criticise Neo-Marxism?
Argue that the approach is gender blind because it focuses on male crime.
How do Left Realists criticise Neo-Marxism?
Argue that critical criminology romanticises working class criminals as “Robin Hoods”. Who steal from the rich and give to the poor, however they prey on the poor.
How does Burke criticise Neo-Marxism?
That critical criminology is too general and too idealistic to be useful in tackling criminology is too general and to idealistic to be useful in tackling crime.
What is the definition of white collar crime?
Any illegal act or omission that is a result of deliberate or culpable negligence by a legitimate business that is intended to benefit the business.
What does Tombs note?
That corporate crime has enormous costs. For example, physical, environmental, and economic.
What are some examples of corporate crimes?
Financial (tax evasion), Crimes against customers (selling unfit products), Crimes against employees (racial discrimination), and Crimes against the environment (illegal pollution of air).
