Outline and Assess Marxist Explanations of the Causes of Crime free essay sample

Marxist explanations of the causes of crime (50 marks) It is to a large extent that Marxism is a useful theory in explaining the causes of crime. This is because it highlights the inequalities in society and how the ruling class owns the means of production. This fails to show reasons why not everyone is facing status frustration and lower income turn to crime. One way in which Marxism is a useful theory for explaining the causes of crime is the concept of capitalism, criminogenic capitalism. Criminogenic capitalism is based on the exploitation of the working class- using them for a means to an end. Crime is not confined to the working class, greed and self interest cause white collar crimes such as tax evasion and breaches of the health and safety laws. An example to highlight this can be seen from Gordon 1988 who studied the response to the anti capitalist system and found that it is apparent that it can be found in all social classes. We will write a custom essay sample on Outline and Assess Marxist Explanations of the Causes of Crime or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This analysis shows that Marxism is useful to a large extent. Another way in which Marxism is a useful theory is that Marxists see the law making and law enforcement as only serving the interests of the capitalist class. Chambliss argues that laws that protect private property are the cornerstones of the capitalist economy. This means that ruling class almost controls the law. Snider argues that the capitalists state is reluctant to pass laws that regulate the activities of businesses or threaten their profitability. This means that the ruling class also have the power to stop the introduction of laws that would threaten their interest. However, Functionalists believe it’s because of laws that people commit crime. Like the apartheid in South Africa, Nelson Mandela was arrested as a ‘terrorist’ for protesting by white authorities. This analysis shows that Marxism is useful to a large extent as it can be seen that law making and law enforcement is only serving the interests of the ruling class. Another way that Marxism is a useful theory is the concept of status frustration. Working class are forced to conform and accept the rules and laws set by the ruling class. Chambliss (1979) argued that working class would try to increase wages and working conditions over a period of time. And the ruling class passed a law to limit wages paid to labourers. A more reason example is the government legislation enforcing benefit fraud. This is more of a working class crime. However, Functionalists challenge the concept of status frustration and argue that the laws are made for the good of everyone and that for society to work well it is to avoid anomie. This analysis shows that Marxism is useful to a large extent as it can be shown that there is seen to be a level of status frustration. One way that Marxism isn’t a useful theory is that the left realists believe that most working class crime is committed against the working class. This means that it’s not because of laws that the working class are going out to commit crimes. This means that more working class people are going to get into fights with one another over conflict of interests. This analysis shows that Marxism isn’t useful as it can be showed that crime is about conflicts of interests. Another way that Marxism isn’t useful is that functionalists believe that the reason for crime is that it’s inevitable. Durkeim (1893) believed that crime and deviance were the product of a lack of attachment to the prevailing consensus over collective values. It is impossible for everyone to have the same values. As people’s actions are the result of the norms and values they possess, they will act differently. This analysis shows that Marxism isn’t useful as it’s because of attachment to society rather than what class you’re in. In conclusion, it is to a large extent that Marxism is useful for explaining crime. According to official statistics young working class men are the most likely to commit crime, this can be explained by policing strategies, status frustration and crimeogenic capitalism. However not ever working class person will commit crime and so crime would have to be based on individuals. Marxism can be true for some types of crime.