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Option: Crime and Deviance

Marxist and neo-Marxist explanations of crime

  • 3 things to know
  • Component 3 Section B

Overview

Term criminogenic, selective enforcement and neo-Marxist criminology.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started
Numbers

What did Hall and colleagues add to Marxist analysis of crime?

Key term

How do Marxists explain the existence of crime under capitalism?

Key term

Define the term criminogenic.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    How do Marxists explain the existence of crime under capitalism?

    Model answer

    Marxists argue that capitalism is criminogenic. Poverty, competition and the pursuit of profit generate offending at every level of society.

  2. 2

    Define the term criminogenic.

    Model answer

    Criminogenic means tending to cause crime. Marxists apply the word to capitalism as a system rather than to individuals.

  3. 3

    How did Gordon describe crime as rational?

    Model answer

    Gordon (1976, USA) argued that crime is a rational response to a competitive and unequal society. Offending is found among all classes, not only the poor.

  4. 4

    In whose interests do Marxists say the law is made?

    Model answer

    Marxists argue that law reflects the interests of the ruling class. Property law is cited as protecting ownership above need.

  5. 5

    What did Chambliss argue about the origins of vagrancy laws?

    Model answer

    Chambliss (1975, USA) traced English vagrancy laws to landowners who needed cheap labour. Law was explained by economic interest rather than by shared morality.

  6. 6

    How did Snider describe the state's attitude to corporate regulation?

    Model answer

    Snider (1993, Canada) argued that capitalist states are reluctant to pass laws that threaten profitability. Regulation is therefore weaker than the scale of harm would justify.

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