Topic 2 Marxism Flashcards
(22 cards)
Define criminogenic capitalism
capitalism causes crime- poverty might mean that crime is the only way that the working class can survive. Alienation and a lack of control over their lives, may lead to frustration and aggression, resulting in non utilitarian crime.
Define selective enforcement
powerless groups such as the working class and ethnic minorities are criminalised, the police end to ignore the crimes of the powerful
Define state and law making
the bourgeoisie control what laws are created and passed and these reflect the interests of themselves and their ideology
Why do laws act as an ideological function?
laws are occasionally passed that appear to benefit the working class rather than capitalism, such as workplace health and safety laws. these laws often benefit the bourgeoisie too by making their workers fit for work
Define alienation
where an individual o group feel socially isolated because they lack the power to control their own lives and realise their true potential - working class go on to commit non-utilitarian crimes like violent crimes
Define white collar crime
a crime committed by a person of high respectability and high social status in the course of their operation, for example, fraud and embezzlement
Define corporate crime
crimes committed by employees for their organisation in pursuit of its goals, for example, miss-selling products to increase company profits
Define critical criminology
a theory which combines traditional marxist views with ideas from other approaches such as labelling theory
What is the anti-determinist vuew?
- crime is not caused solely by economic factors.
- They take a more voluntaristic view
- believe crime is a meaningful action and a conscious choice
What does Gordon argue about crime?
Gordon argues 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 that crime is a working class phenomenon
Do marxists believe that crime statistics are true?
Marxists don’t believe statistics are true because they ignore white collar crime, and make it appear that crime is a working class phenomenon
What do marxists believe about crime?
- Crime is not confined to the working classes, they argue capitalism is a ‘dog eat dog’ system of ruthless competition among capitalists which encourages greed and self-interest. Marxists argue this encourages corporate and white collar crime.
- Crime is the only way for wc to obtain consumer goods encouraged by capitalist advertising, resulting in utilitarian crimes such as theft
What does Chambliss argue about the state and law making?
- Chambliss argues the law exists to protect private property and are the cornerstone of the capitalist economy.
- The law is biased in favour of the capitalism and the middle class
How does the state and law making feed capitalism?
- The law is biased in favour of capitalism and the middle class
- Laws restrict the actions of employees to strike
- There are few laws that limit the power of businesses
What does Snider argue about the state and law making?
Snider argues that the capitalist state is reluctant to pass laws that regulate the activities of businesses or threaten their profitability.
According to marxists, what causes non-utilitarian crime?
- working class feel alienated and lack of control over their lives
- this results in the committing non-utilitarian crimes like violence
why is white collar crime not reported as much?
- too innovative
- underpoliced
- costs the police too much to investigate
- bourgeoise have power over the police
how can the marxist view of crime be evaluated?
-it ignores the relationship between crime, ethnicity and gender
- it is deterministic and over-predicts working class crime
- not all capitalist countries have high crimes rates eg switzerland
what is the neo-marxist approach of crime influenced by?
marxist and labelling theory
what do neo-marxists say is the cause of crime?
- capitalism creates crime
- laws represent the interests of the ruling class
what does selective enforcement lead to?
- working class being over policed
- seen as the source of the problem
- high crime rates for working class
What do marxists believe causes crime?
- the unequal division between bourgeoise and proletariat
- bourgeoisie control the criminal justice and laws are in place to protect them (they can commit white collar crime and get away with it)
- Proletariat lack control which leads to frustration and aggression (leads to criminality)
- Bourgeoisie boast the things they have/produce. The proletariat want these things but can’t afford them so turn to crime
