Sociological theories of criminality - marxism

Question 1

Give a basic definition of Marxism

Answer 1

Soceity may influence a person to become criminal

Question 2

Marxism holds ____ as something that the ______ ____ use as a means of _____ ______ against the _______ _____

Answer 2

Crime, Ruling Class, Social Control, Working Class

Question 3

what does marxism argue laws are made to protect? Why?

Answer 3

The ruling class, as laws do not challenge the unequal distribution of wealth yet punishes those in poverty - vagrancy/ squatters

Question 4

what does marxism assume about the disadvantaged social class? why?

Answer 4

that it is a primary cause of crime and that criminal behaviour begins in youth, it also suggests that crime is largely a result of unfavourable conditions in a community - high dropout rate, unemployment, single parent families.

Question 5

what is selective law enforcement?

Answer 5

the white collar crimes of the ruling class are less likely to be prosecuted than working class/street crimes.

Question 6

In conclusion this means the rich…

Answer 6

stay wealthy, meaning the working class have no means of wealth other than crime

Question 7

strength?

Answer 7

It highlights the impact of selective law enforcement – how street crime is over policed whilst white collar crime is under policed.

Question 8

weakness?

Answer 8

It is very deterministic and stereotypical and it overstates the amount of crime in working-class communities - not all working class people commit crime