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Criminological Theories
Created by Noor Tariq
1
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Sociological Theories
Marxism
The Marxist theory of criminality originates from Karl Marx, a man who used his views on
crime to create a theory that determines the pinnacle cause for crime. Marxism states that the
pinnacle reason of crime is solely based on a capitalist society. Marxists believe that
society is split into 2 groups, the bourgeoise & the proletariat. The bourgeoise are the upper
class, who are ranked as being at the top of the class hierarchy, whereas the proletariat who
are the working class, are ranked at the bottom of the class hierarchy.
The bourgeoise run businesses & factories and have power over them, whereas the
proletariat don’t have any power within society, and they are just left with their ability to
work to be paid a wage from the bourgeoise.
One reason as to how a capitalist society causes crime is the exploitation of the proletariat.
The bourgeoise pay a very small wage towards the proletariat, regardless of how hard they
work, especially with jobs such as sweat shops. The proletariat not being paid can then result
in the proletariat committing utilitarian crimes such as theft in order to provide for themselves
and their families.
Another reason that a capitalist society encourages crime is the continuous advertising of
consumer goods, which means that consumer goods that the bourgeoise can purchase are
constantly shoved into the faces of the proletariat. This can lead to status frustration, with the
proletariat desiring to be able to purchase these consumer items and, as a result, committing
crimes to do so. Furthermore, the proletariat may be enraged by the fact that the bourgeoise
can purchase consumer goods, and because they cannot, non-utilitarian crimes such as
violence may be used as a means of venting anger and frustration.
Marxists follow the left-realist approach to punishment, meaning that they are harsher.
Marxists believe that if someone doesn’t conform (follow the rules) then they must be
punished, and that institutions such as the police, justice systems, prisons and family/religion
are there to encourage you to conform.
One advantage of this theory is that it provides an explanation that covers class inequality,
and another advantage is that it thoroughly shows how inequality can lead to crime
One disadvantage is that this theory does not consider any other inequalities in society
such as gender or ethnicity, and another disadvantage is that it only briefly mentions the
cause of white-collar crime, but focuses heavily on the working class, initially saying that
only the working class commit crimes.
(Remember, you’ll need these advantages and disadvantages for an evaluation question)
2
Studen
ts
ts
Criminological Theories
Created by Noor Tariq
1
Studen
ts
, Studen
ts
Sociological Theories
Marxism
The Marxist theory of criminality originates from Karl Marx, a man who used his views on
crime to create a theory that determines the pinnacle cause for crime. Marxism states that the
pinnacle reason of crime is solely based on a capitalist society. Marxists believe that
society is split into 2 groups, the bourgeoise & the proletariat. The bourgeoise are the upper
class, who are ranked as being at the top of the class hierarchy, whereas the proletariat who
are the working class, are ranked at the bottom of the class hierarchy.
The bourgeoise run businesses & factories and have power over them, whereas the
proletariat don’t have any power within society, and they are just left with their ability to
work to be paid a wage from the bourgeoise.
One reason as to how a capitalist society causes crime is the exploitation of the proletariat.
The bourgeoise pay a very small wage towards the proletariat, regardless of how hard they
work, especially with jobs such as sweat shops. The proletariat not being paid can then result
in the proletariat committing utilitarian crimes such as theft in order to provide for themselves
and their families.
Another reason that a capitalist society encourages crime is the continuous advertising of
consumer goods, which means that consumer goods that the bourgeoise can purchase are
constantly shoved into the faces of the proletariat. This can lead to status frustration, with the
proletariat desiring to be able to purchase these consumer items and, as a result, committing
crimes to do so. Furthermore, the proletariat may be enraged by the fact that the bourgeoise
can purchase consumer goods, and because they cannot, non-utilitarian crimes such as
violence may be used as a means of venting anger and frustration.
Marxists follow the left-realist approach to punishment, meaning that they are harsher.
Marxists believe that if someone doesn’t conform (follow the rules) then they must be
punished, and that institutions such as the police, justice systems, prisons and family/religion
are there to encourage you to conform.
One advantage of this theory is that it provides an explanation that covers class inequality,
and another advantage is that it thoroughly shows how inequality can lead to crime
One disadvantage is that this theory does not consider any other inequalities in society
such as gender or ethnicity, and another disadvantage is that it only briefly mentions the
cause of white-collar crime, but focuses heavily on the working class, initially saying that
only the working class commit crimes.
(Remember, you’ll need these advantages and disadvantages for an evaluation question)
2
Studen
ts
