Marxism, class and crime
Marxist perspective Marxists agree with labelling theorists that the law is enforced disproportionately
against the working class
Marxists see capitalist society as divided into two classes. The ruling class- who
owns the means of production and the working class- whose alienated labour
They see society as a structure in which the economic base (capitalist society)
determines the shape of the superstructure including the state, the law and the
criminal justice system. Their function is to serve the ruling class interests and
maintain the capitalist economy
Criminogenic capitalism Crime is inevitable in capitalism because capitalism is criminogenic
Capitalism is based on the exploitation of the working class by using them as a
means to an end (profit). It is damaging to the working class and
These results rise to crime:
- Poverty may mean that crime is the only way the working class can survive
- Crime may be the only way to obtain consumer goods such as theft
- Alienation and lack of control over their lives may lead to frustration and
aggression such as violence and vandalism
Capitalism is a ‘dog eat dog’ system of competition among capitalists, while the
profit motive encourages a mentality of greed and self- interest
The need to win at all costs or go out of business with self-desire, encourages
capitalists to commit white collar and corporate crims such as tax evasion and
breaches of health and safety laws
Gordon argues that crime is a rational response to the capitalist system and it is
found in all social classes- even though the official crime statistics makes appear to
be largely working class phenomenon
The state and law making Marxists see law making and law enforcement as serving the interests of the
capitalist class. Chambliss argues that laws to protect private property are the
cornerstone of the capitalist economy
Chambliss illustrates this with the introduction of English law into Britain’s east
African colonies. Britain’s economic interests lay in the colonies tea, coffee and
others, which needed a supply of local labour
The ruling class have the power to prevent the introduction of laws that would
threaten their interests.
Similarly, Snider argues that the capitalist state is reluctant to pass laws that
regulate the activities of businesses or threaten their profitability
Selective enforcement When it comes to the application of the law by the criminal justice system, there is
selective enforcement. Powerless groups like working class are criminalised, the
police and courts tend to ignore crimes of the powerful
Marxist perspective Marxists agree with labelling theorists that the law is enforced disproportionately
against the working class
Marxists see capitalist society as divided into two classes. The ruling class- who
owns the means of production and the working class- whose alienated labour
They see society as a structure in which the economic base (capitalist society)
determines the shape of the superstructure including the state, the law and the
criminal justice system. Their function is to serve the ruling class interests and
maintain the capitalist economy
Criminogenic capitalism Crime is inevitable in capitalism because capitalism is criminogenic
Capitalism is based on the exploitation of the working class by using them as a
means to an end (profit). It is damaging to the working class and
These results rise to crime:
- Poverty may mean that crime is the only way the working class can survive
- Crime may be the only way to obtain consumer goods such as theft
- Alienation and lack of control over their lives may lead to frustration and
aggression such as violence and vandalism
Capitalism is a ‘dog eat dog’ system of competition among capitalists, while the
profit motive encourages a mentality of greed and self- interest
The need to win at all costs or go out of business with self-desire, encourages
capitalists to commit white collar and corporate crims such as tax evasion and
breaches of health and safety laws
Gordon argues that crime is a rational response to the capitalist system and it is
found in all social classes- even though the official crime statistics makes appear to
be largely working class phenomenon
The state and law making Marxists see law making and law enforcement as serving the interests of the
capitalist class. Chambliss argues that laws to protect private property are the
cornerstone of the capitalist economy
Chambliss illustrates this with the introduction of English law into Britain’s east
African colonies. Britain’s economic interests lay in the colonies tea, coffee and
others, which needed a supply of local labour
The ruling class have the power to prevent the introduction of laws that would
threaten their interests.
Similarly, Snider argues that the capitalist state is reluctant to pass laws that
regulate the activities of businesses or threaten their profitability
Selective enforcement When it comes to the application of the law by the criminal justice system, there is
selective enforcement. Powerless groups like working class are criminalised, the
police and courts tend to ignore crimes of the powerful
