Neo - Marxism

Question 1

Who are the key Neo - Marxists?

Answer 1

Young, Taylor & Walton

Question 2

Neo - Marxists views on Marxism?

Answer 2

Argue traditional Marxism is too deterministic.

Question 3

Marxist view on crime?

Answer 3

M = see W/C as passive victims of capitalism, who are driven to criminality by factors out of their control.

Question 4

Neo - Marxist view on crime?

Answer 4

NM = see W/C as active agents who have free will & voluntarily choose to commit crime as a political response to their negative experience of capitalism.

Question 5

Crime as a political response?

Answer 5

NM = crime is deliberate & meaningful response by the powerless to to their position in a capitalist society. A way of protesting against injustice, exploitation & alienation. E.g. protesting.

Question 6

Symbolism of crime?

Answer 6

NM = crimes against property are a reaction to (not a result of) wealth & inequality. Vandalism can be seen as a symbolic attack - they are actively trying to alter capitalism & to change society for the better.

Question 7

Revolutionary potential?

Answer 7

NM = argue bourgeoisie are aware of the revolutionary potential of the proletariat, which is why they take steps to control it.

Question 8

Stuart Hall: Policing the Crisis?

Answer 8

“mugging crisis” -> black person issue = problem -> racist ideology in white W/C -> white W/C turned against black W/C -> police targeted black communities -> diverts attention away from “real causes” = ‘crisis of capitalism’

Question 9

CRITICISM OF NEO - MARXISM

Answer 9

*in reality much crime is spontaneous/opportunistic & therefore is unlikely to have a political motive.
*Left Realists criticise NM for over romanticising criminals as “Robin Hoods” who are fighting against capitalism by stealing from the rich.
*Reality = most victims of W/C crime are W/C