Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
19 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
Explain Marxism view |
Structural theory Society as a structure in which the economic base (capitalist economy) determines the shape of the superstructure which is made up of all the other institutions including the state, law and CJS |
|
|
What's their function? |
To serve ruling class interests Maintain the capitalist economy |
|
|
Structure of capitalist society explains crime - 3 elements |
Criminogenic capitalism The state and law making Ideological functions of crime and law |
|
|
Explain criminogenic capitalism |
Crime is inevitable in capitalism because capitalism is criminogenic - by its very nature it causes crime |
|
|
Capitalism is based on the exploitation of the working class |
Using them as a means to an end ( profit ) whatever the human cost of doing so. Damaging to w/c Leads to rise in crime |
|
|
How does this lead to rise in crime? |
- poverty, crime only way survive - obtain consumer goods encouraged by the capitalist advertising resulting in utilitarian crimes such as theft - alienation and lack of control over their lives, frustration, aggression - non utilitarian crimes such as violence and vandalism |
|
|
However, crime is not confined to the working class |
Capitalism - 'dog eat dog' system of ruthless competition among the capitalists, while the profit motive encourages a mentality of greed and self interest |
|
|
Dog eat dog system |
The need to win at all cost or go out business, along with the desire for self enrichment, encourages capitalists to commit white collar crime and corporate crimes such as tax evasion and breaches of health and safety laws |
|
|
David Gordon |
Argues crime is a rational response to the capitalist system and hence it's found in all social classes |
|
|
However.. |
Even though the official statistics make it appear to be a largely working class phenomenon |
|
|
2. The state and law making |
Unlike functionalists, marxists see law making and law enforcement as only serving the interests of the capitalist class whereas functionalists see law as reflecting the value consensus and representing the interests of society as a whole. |
|
|
William Chambliss |
Argues that laws to protect private property are the cornerstone of the capitalist economy |
|
|
Ruling class also have power to prevent the introduction of new laws |
These would threaten their interests e.g few laws that seriously challenge the unequal distribution of wealth |
|
|
Snider |
Argues that the capitalist state is reluctant to pass laws that regulate the activities of businesses or threaten their profitability |
|
|
3. Ideological functions of crime and law |
Law crime and criminals all perform an ideological function for capitalism |
|
|
Laws are occasionally passed that appear to be for the benefit of the working class rather than capitalism |
Workplace health and safety laws |
|
|
Pearce - such laws often benefit the ruling class too |
Health and safety - by keeping workers fit for work.
By giving capitalism a 'caring' face such laws also create false class consciousness among the workers |
|
|
State enforces the law selectively |
Crime appears to be a largely working class phenomenon which divides the working class by encouraging workers to blame the criminals in their midst for their problems rather than capitalism |
|
|
How are the media involved? |
Contribute to portraying criminals as disturbed individuals thereby concealing the fact that it is the nature of capitalism that makes people criminals |
