MARXIST THEORY OF CRIME + DEVIANCE
Capitalism is criminogenic (likely to cause criminal behaviour)
Selective Law Making means that the laws themselves are actually socially constructed by to benefit the rich + powerful
Selective Law Enforcement means that the criminal justice system applies the law to different social groups in different ways
The Ideological functions of crime are to give a reason for the social control by the ruling class in order to prevent revolution from occurring
This is because the nature of exploiting the working class leads to crime
Capitalism leads to an ever increasing gap between the rich + the poor and it's not surprising that the poor might turn to crime in order to afford the necessities
The frustration of exploitation can also lead to violence
GORDON - Crime is a rational reaction to Capitalist interests: Greed, Profit, Competition and materialism - explains why crime is found in all social classes
Working class + Ethnic minorities are criminalised; the powerful + rich appear to get ignored
REIMAN - the ruling class are more likely to commit crime but less likely to have the offence treated as a criminal one
E.g. Social security fraud is committed by the poor + almost always leads to prosecution but tax evasion doesn't
BOX - argues that the rich often engage in activities which result in death, injury but these activities are often protected by health + safety laws
Criminals are often portrayed as 'disturbed' by the media rather than revealing the role that capitalism has in making people criminals
PEARCE - laws are occasionally passed which on the surface look like they are to benefit the working class, when in reality the laws benefit the ruling class through loop holes and lack of prosecution
2007 - corporate homicide law - in the first 8 years, there was only 1 successful prosecution
CHAMBLIS- the law is shaped to protect property/profits of the rich. He also argues that the rich are part of a group where crime interests them
SNIDER - governments are resistant to pass laws which will threaten profits because it will affect donations
Ignores other causes of crime - Marxism focuses on class inequalities, ignores gender and ethnicity
Criminals are accepted - Working class can't help but commit crime because of their economic circumstances
Communist states- if the main cause of crime was capitalism, then communist states would have no crime - this is not the case in Cuba