TOPIC 3 Ideological functions of crime
Selective enforcement
- Snider capitalist state is reluctant to pass laws that
- Pearce theorised that laws give capitalism a regulate the activities of business or threaten their
caring face creates a false class pro tability
Explanation of class diff. consciousness - Marxists argue that although all class commit crime,
- Functionalists ; - Laws that appear to bene t the W/C also when it comes to the application of the law by the
See law as a re ection of societies shared bene t the ruling class justice system there is selective enforcement. Powerless
values, crime is product of inadequate - Because the state enforces law selectively it groups are criminalised but courts tend to ignore
socialisation looks like a W/C phenomenon crimes of the powerful
Miller W/C has developed an independent - This divides W/C due to encouraging
subculture with norms and values which contrast workers to blame criminals rather than
against mainstream values W/C con ict law. capitalism Neo - Marxism
- Strain theory ; - Critical criminology
Argues ppl engage in deviant behaviour when Taylor et al criticises marxists for economic determinism,
instead see crime as a meaningful action and a
opportunities are blocked The state & law making
W/C liked to be denied legitimate opportunities conscious choice by actor. Crime has political motive.
to achieve
- Chambliss states laws to protect private Criminals are not passive puppets whose behaviour is
property is in the interest of the capitalist shaped by capitalism, they deliberately strive to change
- Subcultural theories ; class society
W/C deprived of legitimate means of success
- Ruling class can prevent laws that would
Cohen sees youth as culturally deprived threaten their interests Taylor et al a fully social theory of deviance
W/C failure leads to status frustration so join
- the wider origins of the deviant act : unequal
subcultures distribution of wealth and power
Cloward & Ohlin W/C have a stable community
- Immediate origins of the deviant act : context In which
for a criminal subculture and con ict subculture the individual decides to commit the act
and retreatism
Criminogenic Capitalism - The act : its meaning of the actor
- For marxists crime is inevitable in capitalism - Immediate origins of of social reaction : who has the
- Labelling theory ; power to de ne actions as deviant and to label others
because capitalism is criminogenic (by its
Reject view that of cial stats are useful and and why some acts are treated more harshly than
very nature it causes crime )
valid focus on how W/C are labelled - Poverty may be the only way W/C can others
- Effects of labelling : effects on deviants and their
survive
- Marxists ; - Crime may be the only way they can obtain future actions
Agree with labelling but criticise label theory consumer goods (by theft)
for ignoring capitalism - Alienation and lack of control may lead to - Anti-determinism
- Taylor argue that trans Marxism is deterministic and
frustration and aggression resulting in non-
reject theories that claim crime Is caused by external
utilitarianism crime (violent)
factors such as subcultures
‘ fi fi ’
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Selective enforcement
- Snider capitalist state is reluctant to pass laws that
- Pearce theorised that laws give capitalism a regulate the activities of business or threaten their
caring face creates a false class pro tability
Explanation of class diff. consciousness - Marxists argue that although all class commit crime,
- Functionalists ; - Laws that appear to bene t the W/C also when it comes to the application of the law by the
See law as a re ection of societies shared bene t the ruling class justice system there is selective enforcement. Powerless
values, crime is product of inadequate - Because the state enforces law selectively it groups are criminalised but courts tend to ignore
socialisation looks like a W/C phenomenon crimes of the powerful
Miller W/C has developed an independent - This divides W/C due to encouraging
subculture with norms and values which contrast workers to blame criminals rather than
against mainstream values W/C con ict law. capitalism Neo - Marxism
- Strain theory ; - Critical criminology
Argues ppl engage in deviant behaviour when Taylor et al criticises marxists for economic determinism,
instead see crime as a meaningful action and a
opportunities are blocked The state & law making
W/C liked to be denied legitimate opportunities conscious choice by actor. Crime has political motive.
to achieve
- Chambliss states laws to protect private Criminals are not passive puppets whose behaviour is
property is in the interest of the capitalist shaped by capitalism, they deliberately strive to change
- Subcultural theories ; class society
W/C deprived of legitimate means of success
- Ruling class can prevent laws that would
Cohen sees youth as culturally deprived threaten their interests Taylor et al a fully social theory of deviance
W/C failure leads to status frustration so join
- the wider origins of the deviant act : unequal
subcultures distribution of wealth and power
Cloward & Ohlin W/C have a stable community
- Immediate origins of the deviant act : context In which
for a criminal subculture and con ict subculture the individual decides to commit the act
and retreatism
Criminogenic Capitalism - The act : its meaning of the actor
- For marxists crime is inevitable in capitalism - Immediate origins of of social reaction : who has the
- Labelling theory ; power to de ne actions as deviant and to label others
because capitalism is criminogenic (by its
Reject view that of cial stats are useful and and why some acts are treated more harshly than
very nature it causes crime )
valid focus on how W/C are labelled - Poverty may be the only way W/C can others
- Effects of labelling : effects on deviants and their
survive
- Marxists ; - Crime may be the only way they can obtain future actions
Agree with labelling but criticise label theory consumer goods (by theft)
for ignoring capitalism - Alienation and lack of control may lead to - Anti-determinism
- Taylor argue that trans Marxism is deterministic and
frustration and aggression resulting in non-
reject theories that claim crime Is caused by external
utilitarianism crime (violent)
factors such as subcultures
‘ fi fi ’
fi fl fi fi fl fl
