Asses Marxists Social Views About the Relationship Between Crime and Social Class and How It Effects Our Understanding of Crime.

Marixsts have many issues with their perspectives on crime. Including the manipulation of basic values and morality of society, process of law production, the enforcement of law, and individual motivation there are many other factors effecting crimes and punishment for example race and ethnicity, religion, background(area) and age.

Marxists believe that crime is defined by the ruling class and that it’s used for social control, if the lower classes don’t comply with the ruling class’s means of social control then they will be punished. Marxists say that societies institutions such as police, justice system, prisons, schools and religion enforce laws norms and values to encourage everyone to conform. Marxists believe crimes committed by the more powerful in society tend to be forgotten about quickly this is known as white collar crime. Where as crimes committed by lower class citizens the less powerful, such as burglary and street crime are more focussed on and seen as more serious. Marxists also argue that’s the different social classes are policed differently, the lower classes are policed heavily so society are more likely to have a higher expectation for the working class to commit more crime and label them differently leading to higher chances of their crimes being detected.

Marxists believe deviance is party the product of unequal power relations and inequality in general. so believe crime and deviance is an understandable response to the situation of being part of the lower class. Linking in with the strain theory of Merton where certain factors restrict the lower class from reaching “the American dream” so turn to crime to make money or take frustration out on the system.

It is also believed that the state passes laws benefiting and supporting the ruling class interests. In order to maintain ruling power, status and control over the proletariat. Laws passed are believed to reflect the needs and wishes of the bourgeoisie. It is also said by Marxists...