Topic 3 Crime:Class, Power And Crime

Question 1

Define Criminogenic Capitalism

Answer 1

The belief that crime is inevitable due to Capitalism

Question 2

Explain how capitalism can cause crime among the W/C (2 features)

Answer 2

Crime is the only way they can survive because of poverty

Crime is the only way they can obtain consumer goods

Question 3

What crimes do W/C commit due to capitalism according to Marxists

Answer 3

Theft
Assault

Question 4

Explain how capitalism can cause crime among the ruling class (2 features)

Answer 4

To prevent going out of business
The need to win at all costs

Question 5

What type of crimes do the ruling class commit due to capitalism according to Marxists (2 features)

Answer 5

Tax evasion
Breaches of health and safety

Question 6

According to Chambliss what is the cornerstone of the capitalist economy

Answer 6

Laws to protect private property

Question 7

Which sociologist states that laws to protect private property are the cornerstone of the capitalist economy

Answer 7

Chambliss

Question 8

What real life example can be used to support Chambliss point laws protect the ruling class

Answer 8

British East African Colonies

Question 9

What happened in the British East African Colonies and how does it support Chambliss Point

Answer 9

British introduced a tax payable in cash
Cash that could only be made by working for them on the plantations

Question 10

Who argues that the capitalist state are afraid to introduce laws that hurt the ruling class

Answer 10

Snider

Question 11

What does Snider state

Answer 11

That the ruling class are afraid to introduce laws that hurt the ruling class

Question 12

Define Selective Enforcement

Answer 12

When the police and courts ignore the crimes of the powerful and focus on the powerless groups e.g W/C

Question 13

Who argues that Health and Safety laws actually benefit the ruling class

Answer 13

Pearce

Question 14

Why does Pearce state that health and safety laws actually benefit the ruling class (2 features)

Answer 14

By keeping workers fit and work for the bourgeoisie
Creates a false consciousness among the workers as it gives capitalism a caring face

Question 15

2 criticisms of the Marxist explanation of crime

Answer 15

Crime isn’t a working class phenomenon- as it ignores factors such as ethnicity or gender

Only Capitalist societies cause crime- not all capitalist countries have high crime rates e.g New Zealand

Question 16

What is the major difference between Marxist explanations of crime and Neo-Marxist explanations of crime

Answer 16

Neo-Marxists believe that crime was sometimes a positive political act against the bourgeoisie

Question 17

What is Critical Criminology

Answer 17

A Neo Marxist believe that crime may be committed as a political act against the bourgeoisie

Question 18

What real life example can be used to support Critical Criminology

Answer 18

The Black Panthers- Black rights group in the 60s-70s

Question 19

Which sociologist argues that Marxists should consider 6 requirements when looking at an act of crime

Answer 19

Taylor et al

Question 20

What are the 6 requirements Taylor et al believe Marxists should consider when looking at a deviant act

Answer 20

The wider origins of the deviant act
The immediate origins of the deviant act
The act itself
The immediate origins of the societal reaction
The wider origins of the societal reaction
The outcome of the social reaction to the deviance

Question 21

What do Taylor et al do NOT try to do

Answer 21

Explain crime and deviance

Question 22

State 2 criticisms of Neo Marxists explanation of crime

Answer 22

Feminist state it is gender Blind- focused too much on male criminality

Burke states it too general to explain crime and to idealistic to be useful in tackling crime

Question 23

Which sociologist coined the term white collar crime

Answer 23

Sutherland

Question 24

Define white collar crime

Answer 24

A crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation

Question 25

What two types of crimes does Sutherland’s definition fail to distinguish

Answer 25

Occupational crime Corporate crime

Question 26

Define Occupational crime

Answer 26

Committed by employees for own personal gain often against the org they work for

Question 27

Define corporate crime

Answer 27

Committed by employees for their organisation in pursuit of its goals

Question 28

What does Pearce and Tombs include in their definition of corporate crime

Answer 28

Breaches of administrative or civil law

Question 29

What are 3 examples of corporate crimes

Answer 29

Crimes against consumers Crimes against employees Crimes against the environment

Question 30

Which sociologist states that high status professionals abuse our trust

Answer 30

Carrabine et al

Question 31

What’s one example that supports Carrabine’s view that the ruling class abuse our trust

Answer 31

Accountants Ernst and Young got caught by the UK for a tax avoidance scheme

Question 32

What are the 4 reasons why corporate crime are underrepresented in official statistics

Answer 32

Under Reporting The Crimes are Complex Lack Of Political Will Less Coverage from the media

Question 33

What are the 4 explanations as to why corporate crime happens

Answer 33

Stain Theory Differential Association Labelling Theory Marxism ideas (Capitalism)

Question 34

How does Box apply Merton’s strain theory to corporate crime

Answer 34

As if a company can’t achieve its goal of maximising profit through legitimate means they do it through illegitimate means

Question 35

What did Geis find that supports differential association as a reason corporate crimes happen

Answer 35

Found that individuals who joined companies that were doing illegal price fixing they often became involved

Question 36

Which sociologists talk about Techniques of Neutralisation

Answer 36

Sykes and Matza

Question 37

Define techniques of neutralisation according to Sykes and Matza

Answer 37

Individuals deviate easier if they can produce justifications to neutralise objections to their misbehaviour

Question 38

Which sociologist talks about De-labelling as a reason for corporate crimes

Answer 38

Nelken

Question 39

Define de-labelling as a reason for corporate crime according to Nelken

Answer 39

Business and professionals have the power to avoid labelling because of their expensive lawyers

Question 40

What does Box mean by mystification

Answer 40

Capitalism spreads the idea that corporate crime is less widespread or harmful than W/C crime