marxist approach to crime
criminogenic capitalism
neo marxism
the state and law
ideological functions
evaluation
crime is inevitable due to nature of capitalism
exploitation of workers may lead to crime
poverty -> causes crime
advertiisng -> want for goods -> crime is the only means to get them
alienation leads to aggression -> leads to non utilitarian crime (vandalism)
laws are created in order to protect workers, however
Pearce - benefits ruling class as it keeps workers motivated
laws may not be regulated
laws are created selectively -> to blame crimnals for societal issues
greed -> leads to white collar crime
gordon - crime is natural response to capitalism and is found in all socia lclasses but working class is marginalised
Chambliss law enforcement serve ruling class
english laws brought in during colonisation
introduction of tax in africa -> served plantation owners
selective enforcement
application of the law is selective -> ignore crimes of powerful
ignores relationship between crime and non-class related factors (ethnicity/gender)
too determinstic
not all capitalist societies have high crime rates -> switzerland, japan
however, welfare provision may have an impact
punishments for corporate crime does exist
marxism ignores intra class crime ( burglary and mugging)