Marxism Why Doea Crime Happen? Flashcards
(8 cards)
Criminogenic capitalism
Crime is inevitable in capitalism because capitalism itself is criminogenic- by its very nature it causes crime. Capitalism is based on the exploitation of the wc. The wc commit crime becuase it is the only way to survive or get out of poverty. Crime is also the only way to buy the consumer goods that capitalism promotes. This alienation of lack of control over their lives leads to anger and frustration resulting in crimes such as gap crimes. The RC commit crimes simply to just get richer.
Evaluation of criminogenic capitalism
Not all capitalism societies have high crimes rates as Japan has a much lower rate than america
The state and law making
Law making serves the interest of the ruling class. Laws to protect private property are the cornerstone of capitalist society. The rc have the power to prevent laws that harm their interests. The introduction of English laws into African colonies show this. Tax was introduced and the Africans had to work on plantations owned by England. If they did not pay they would be arrested and if they did pay then the English are double benefitting by both their labour and their money.
Evaluation of the state and law making
The criminal justice system does sometimes implement laws and polices that benefit society such as the NHS.
Selective enforcement
The CJS choose which crimes to prosecute and which to ignore. Powerless groups like the WC and EM are criminalised whereas crimes of the powerful are left unpunished. There is a high prosecution rate for crimes of the streets whereas the CJS is more likely to have a more forgiving view on crimes of the suites such as tax evasion.
Evaluation of selective enforcement
Carson found that in a sample of 200 firms which has all broken health and safety laws, only 1.5% of the cases were prosecuted
Ideological functions of crime and law
Crime and law also perform ideological functions for capitalism as they spread ideas that hemp keep workers passive. Wc are taught to follow the rules and respect the hierarchy. Some laws benefit workers such as the NHS but this is just a caring face promoting false class consciousness. This distracts the wc from their exploitation by directing their anger back onto their own class. For example, people are more likely to blame benefit frauds for englands poverty rather than the government who use the money for their own personal gain.
Evaluation of ideological functions of crime and law
This is arguably gender-blind as wc men are prosecuted more than wc women showing that gender is obviously a bigger factor in crime prosecution than class
