Marxist Theories Flashcards
(18 cards)
Why is capitalism criminogenic?
Capitalism leads to exploitation of the working class, causing a growing gap between the rich and poor, which may push the poor to commit crimes to afford necessities.
What does selective law enforcement mean?
It means that the criminal justice system applies the law differently to social groups, with the working class and ethnic minorities criminalized more than the rich and powerful.
What is selective law-making?
Selective law-making refers to laws being socially constructed to benefit the rich and powerful, often ignoring or protecting their actions.
How does capitalism influence crime according to Box?
Box argues that the rich often engage in activities leading to harm (e.g., death, injury, fraud) but these actions are protected by law, such as through loopholes in Health and Safety laws.
What is the ideological function of crime in capitalism?
Crime is used by the ruling class to justify social control and prevent revolution, portraying criminals as “disturbed” instead of showing how capitalism contributes to criminal behavior.
What does Reiman (2001) say about the ruling class and crime?
Reiman argues that the ruling class is more likely to commit crimes but is less likely to be prosecuted, e.g., social security fraud is punished more than tax evasion.
What does Chambliss argue about the law?
Chambliss argues that the law is designed to protect the property and profits of the rich and powerful, who are also part of a “crime syndicate.”
What is Snider’s argument about government laws?
Snider argues that governments are reluctant to pass laws that regulate businesses, as it could harm profitability and affect political donations.
What does Pearce say about laws benefiting the working class?
Pearce states that laws are sometimes passed to benefit the working class but in reality, they still benefit the ruling class due to loopholes and lack of prosecution.
Example of ineffective corporate homicide law?
In the first 8 years of the 2007 corporate homicide law, there was only one successful prosecution.
What are some criticisms of Marxism’s view of crime?
Marxism ignores other causes of crime (gender, ethnicity), romanticizes the working class, overlooks crime in communist states, and fails to address the victims of crime, who are often the poor.
Why do Marxist views of crime not account for modern democracies?
In modern democracies, lawmakers are elected and represent a range of interests. Most criminal laws are based on consensus and are not as controversial as Marxism suggests.
What does Marxism ignore about crime
Marxism focuses only on class inequalities, ignoring other factors like gender, ethnicity, and other causes of crime outside of economic inequality.
What is the “passive working class” criticism in Marxist criminology?
Marxism suggests that the working class cannot help but commit crime due to their economic circumstances, implying criminals are victims of society and not to blame for their behavior.
Why is crime in communist states a problem for Marxism?
If crime were solely a result of capitalism, communist states (like Soviet Russia or Cuba) would be crime-free, but this was not the case.
Why does Marxism overlook crime victims?
Marxist theory often ignores the fact that most crime victims are from the poor and working classes, not the ruling class, which contradicts the theory that the ruling class should be more vulnerable to crime.
What is the critique of Marxism’s view on lawmakers in democracies?
In modern democracies, lawmakers are elected to represent a broad range of interests, not just the wealthy or capitalist class. Most criminal laws are not controversial and are based on a consensus that benefits the greater good.
What does Gordon (1976) argue about crime in capitalism?
Gordon argues that crime is a rational response to capitalist values like greed, profit, competition, and materialism, explaining why crime is found in all social classes, not just the poor.
