Marxism In Criminology

Criminology is the scientific study of crime and criminal activity, often portrayed through a means of mass communication, the media. This connection is well established due to the media informing the community in regards to the extent and types of crimes that are committed, establishing perpetrators, people at risk, pathways for solutions, penalties and closure. Marxism is a theory used in new criminology, it describes media as a dominant model that is based on ideologies. The media is dominated and owned by ruling interests of wealthy, providing others with a false consciousness as they absorb and accept the values of the ruling class, believing these values are in their best interest. Within the dominant model of marxism it has created many …show more content…
Marxism Theory is present in media today, demonstrated by controlling elite and ruling interests of wealthy, determining information expressed to the public. The concept of class struggle plays an important role in understanding marxism, as class struggle has become the main agent of change within a socialist order and classless society. Within this dominant model exists moral panics and The Labelling Theory, with the media effectively using these tools to increase public awareness, attention and create fear within society. Moral panic, the process of media using social concern over issues to generate fear, has been shown through acknowledged research. It would therefore suggest that it is an effective method to induce public fear, answering how the media portrays violent crime, by simply reporting selected facts about violent crime, or repeated exposure to details or information about violent crime, both effective ways used by media. The Labelling Theory and how the concept of self-identity and behaviour are so important to an individual they can become over-represented in the media on how they are classified. This leads to stereotyping and the individual changing their behaviour to fit into the label as supported by discussed research. The media has an effective way in manipulating public opinions through the theory of Marxism. This has been shown using the examples of Arab-Muslim communities and Bankstown case study. The media sensationalises information which classifies people as the ‘other ‘and this further supports how criminology helps explain how the media is shaped and formed to selectively inform the public when portraying violent crimes in