TOPIC 3- CLASS/ POWER/ MARXISM Flashcards
(22 cards)
Marxism is a structural theory… but why?
They look at institutions which includes the state, the law and the criminal justice system and they serve the interests of the ruling class and maintain the capitalist economy.
Criminogenic has three factors that lead poor people to crime… these are…
1) Poverty
2) Consumer goods
3) Marginalisation
What is state and law making about?
AGENCIES OF SOCIAL CONTROL such as the police serves ONLY the interests of the ruling class.
Chambliss discussed…
New tax laws introduced in East African colonies which benefit the coffee plantation owners whilst criminilising poor who don’t work to pay tax.
Snider says…
capitalist state is still always reluctant to pass laws that regulate businesses and threaten their profitability.
Selective enforcement is where…
Ethnic minorities and working class are criminalised whilst the ruling class get away with crimes.
Famous quote from Reiman?
“THE RIGH GET RICHER AND THE POOR GET PRISON”
What is the ideological functions of law?
Appear to be for the benefit of the subject class rather than the ruling class
Example ideological functions of law take place?
Health and Safety laws
Neo-Marxists believe crime takes place because of what?
Free will
Neo-Marxists take on what other type of approach to understand crime?
labelling
What is “a fully social theory of deviance?”
a comprehensive understanding of crime and deviance that would enable society to change for the better
Sutherland defines white collar crimes as..
“a crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation
Pearce and Tombs define corporate crime as..
Any illegal act or omission that I the result of deliberate or culpable negligence by a legitimate business organisation that is intended to benefit the business.”
Tombs discussed the effects of corporate crime.. how many types of crimes does he mention?
5
Tombs- what is FINANCIAL CRIME?
tax evasion, bribery, money laundering
Tombs- What are CRIMES AGAINST CONSUMERS ?
– e.g. false labelling, selling unfit goods
Tombs- what are CRIMES AGAINST THE ENVIRONMENT?
illegal pollution of air, water and land e.g. toxic waste
Tombs- STATE-CORPORATE CRIME?
harms committed by government institutions e.g. private companies contracted by US military torturing detainees
The media contribute to invisibility of corporate crime. How?
limited coverage which reinforces the idea that crime is a working class phenomenon
Lack of political will contributes to invisibility of corporate crime. How?
tough on crime rhetoric is focused on street crime
DE-LABELLING contributes to invisibility of corporate crime. How?
At the level of laws and legal regulation corporate crime is often filtered out. Offences are often defined as civil not criminal.
