Unit 4 SCLY4 - Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods; Stratification and Differentiation with Theory and Methods
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CLASS POWER AND CRIME, MARXIST VIEW C&D MARXIST VIEW OF CRIME:
Crime is inevitable, in capitalist society capitalism=criminogenic: causes crime by its nature. (David
Neo Marxism view on crime: Gordon) Capitalism allows unequal divide between classes. Thus, committing crime is the only way people can
(Taylor et al): Agree with Marxist view: Capitalist society based on live their desired life.
exploitation and class conflict, capitalism should be replaced by a Those who can’t afford basic necessities, may turn to crime to supply what employers don’t. expected that
classless society and state makes and enforces laws to interest of working-class express frustration and anger at their exploitation through violence or criminal damage.
capitalist class. argue society as criminogenic is too deterministic. WC Values of capitalism=same as criminal values= aim of capitalist society is to get as much wealth as possible,
are passive victims driven to criminality. regardless of how people are affected. Encourages crime of the rich (fraud) and others.
Economic Determinism: Selective enforcement: selected bias when enforcing law in criminal justice system. Police are more likely to
Taylor et al criticise Marxism for economic determinism: see crime as a target working class areas, & more likely to be criminalised than MC. Reiman: crimes by higher class are
meaningful action, and a conscious choice by offender. ignored/not treated as offence. E.g., social security fraud committed by poor, results in criminal prosecution. Tax
Crime often has a political motive. evaders: rarely face prosecution.
(e.g., burglary=redistribute wealth from rich to poor) Snider: capitalist state is reluctant to pass laws regulating activities of businesses or threaten profitability.
Vandalism= symbol of rejection to capitalisms obsession with property.
fully social theory of deviance: to understand crime in society: Ideological functions of the law: laws give capitalism a ‘caring face’ creating a false class consciousness
1. Wider origins of the deviant act- unequal distribution of wealth and power amongst workers. State enforces laws selectively crime is largely a working-class phenomenon. Pearce
in capitalist society.
2. Immediate origins of the deviant act- context that led to committing the act Law making: Law looks as though all are treated equal but aren’t=Chambliss laws protect private properties,
e.g., unemployment. cornerstone of capitalist economy. Ruling class have power to prevent introduction of laws that threaten their
3. The act itself- its meaning for the offender e.g., a form of rebellion against interests. Althusser: ideological state apparatus= hides true extent of class inequality.
capitalism
4. Immediate origins of social reaction- reaction of those close to the criminal Evaluation of Marxism:
e.g., family and community. RESEARCHER
Ignores views on gender and ethnicity.
5. Wider origins of societal reaction- how those in power react who decides David Gordon Taylor et all
Too deterministic
what should be deviant. Reiman Burke
6. Impact of reaction on individual/effects of labelling-how does labelling Not all capitalist societies have free will.
Snider Sutherland
affect individual? More deviance? CJS does act against ruling class e.g., punishing corporate crime.
Pearce
Evaluation of neo- Chambliss
Marxism: Occupational crime: committed by employees for own personal gain, against organisation they work for (stealing from customers/company). Althusser
Corporate crime: committed by employees for organisation in pursuit of goals (deliberate misleading, misleading products= increase profit).
Too general to
explain crime &
Financial Bribery, fraud tax Invisibility of corporate crime: Explanations of corporate crime: WHITE COLLAR
too idealistic- crime evasion Likely to go unnoticed/unpunished: Box: using Merton’s strain theory, if company can’t achieve CRIME C&D
Burke. -lack of political will to tackle: goal by legal means it moves to illegal means.
Against Drug thalidomide led to
strong stance on being tough on
Left realists ignore consumer many deaths & defects. Labelling theory: unlike white collar crime: crime
street crimes. Differential association:
effect on victims, s Selling unfit goods WC, professionals have committed by person of high
-media: limited coverage, crime Sutherland: crime
don’t take crime Against Discrimination/deaths/ appears WC phenomenon. power to avoid labelling, e.g. social status in course of his
employees injury e.g., coal mines =behaviour learnt from
seriously. Described=sanitised language. affording
Against Toxic waste emits others in social context. occupation (Sutherland).
-de-labelling: filtered out from lawyers/accountants for help.
Romanticise environm illegal amounts of co2 If we associate ourselves -Higher classes can use their
process of criminalisation.
working class as ent etc -under reporting: no obvious
with people who have Marxism: corp. crimes as a power to cover up their crimes.
criminal attitudes result of normal functioning
‘robin hoods’ State E.g., private victim=not noticed to report.
more likely to become capitalism. Due to
fighting capitalism corporate companies’ -complexity: law enforcers lack
capitalism=increasing profits,
crime involvement in war technical expertise to investigate deviant.
but prey on poor. inevitably causes harm.
effectively.
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