Marxist Perspective on Crime

Examine some ways in which Marxist explain crime (12 marks)

Marxist theories of crime are based on conflict, as opposed to the functionalist and subcultural explanations of crime, which are based on consensus. They claim that society is divided by capitalism and there is a conflict between the upper-classes and the working-classes. They suggest that social inequality, as a result of capitalism, is the cause of crime. There are two types of Marxists: the Traditional Marxists and the Neo Marxists. The starting point for Marxist and neo-Marxist approaches is the laws, and how the ways that they are created and enforced may favour certain groups; the ruling/upper-classes.

For Traditional Marxists, the structure of capitalist society explains crime. Marxists believe that capitalism is criminogenic – it causes crime. They believe that capitalism is very damaging to the working class. Poverty is seen to lead people to turn to crime as it is the only way to survive and gain sufficient income. Crime may be the only way the working class can obtain consumer goods encouraged in advertisements resulting in theft. Alienation and lack of control may cause frustration and aggression leading the working class to turn to crimes such as vandalism however, crime is not just linked to the working class. It can be found in all classes. There is competition among capitalists. Greed and self-interest may lead to capitalists committing white collar/corporate crimes such as tax evasion. Gordon (1976) found that crime is a rational response to the capitalist system though statistics make it seem to be a working class problem. It is found in all social classes.

It is argued that powerless groups, like the working class, are criminalised whereas crimes of the powerful tend to be ignored. Reiman (2001) found that the more likely a crime is to be committed by higher class people, the less likely it is to be treated as a criminal offence. This results in a disproportionate high rate of...