MARXIST THEORIES
The historical Development of critical criminology
The roots of critical criminology can be traced to the social philosopher Karl Marx
(1818-1883), who identified the economic structure in society that control all human
relations. Marx‟s view of society was shaped by the economic trends and structures
of that period. The tools of the INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION had become regular
features of society by 1850. Though he did not write much on crime, he viewed crime
as the product of law enforcement policies in which people labelled by their
experiences with police and are stigmatised and locked into a life of crime. He also
saw a connection between criminality and the inequities found in the capitalist system.
Critical criminologists view themselves as social critics, who dig beneath the surface
of society to uncover its inequities. They reject the notion that the law is designed to
maintain a peaceful, fair society, and that criminals are malevolent people who wish
to trample the rights of others. They believe that the law is an instrument of power,
wielded by those who control society in order to maintain their wealth, social position
and class advantage..
c) The Conflict view of crime
The conflict view depicts society as a collection of diverse groups- business owners,
workers, professionals, students- who are in constant and continuing conflict. Groups
able to assert their political power use the law and the criminal justice system to
advance their economic and social position. Criminal laws, therefore, are viewed as
acts created to protect the haves from the have-nots. Critical criminologists often
compare and contrast the harsh penalties exacted on the poor for their “street crimes”
(burglary, robbery) with the minor penalties the wealthy receive for their white collar
crimes, though the latter may cause considerable more social harm. While the poor go
to prison for minor violations, the wealthy are given lenient sentences for even the
most serious breaches of law. Rather than being class neutral, criminal law reflects and
protects established economic, racial, gendered, and political power privilege.
Crime according to this definition is a political concept designed to protect the power
and the position of upper classes at the expense of the poor. According to this conflict
view of crime, “real” crimes would include the following acts:
• Violations of human rights due to racism, sexism and imperialism
• Unsafe working conditions
• Inadequate childcare
• Inadequate opportunities for employment and education
• Substandard housing and medical care
The historical Development of critical criminology
The roots of critical criminology can be traced to the social philosopher Karl Marx
(1818-1883), who identified the economic structure in society that control all human
relations. Marx‟s view of society was shaped by the economic trends and structures
of that period. The tools of the INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION had become regular
features of society by 1850. Though he did not write much on crime, he viewed crime
as the product of law enforcement policies in which people labelled by their
experiences with police and are stigmatised and locked into a life of crime. He also
saw a connection between criminality and the inequities found in the capitalist system.
Critical criminologists view themselves as social critics, who dig beneath the surface
of society to uncover its inequities. They reject the notion that the law is designed to
maintain a peaceful, fair society, and that criminals are malevolent people who wish
to trample the rights of others. They believe that the law is an instrument of power,
wielded by those who control society in order to maintain their wealth, social position
and class advantage..
c) The Conflict view of crime
The conflict view depicts society as a collection of diverse groups- business owners,
workers, professionals, students- who are in constant and continuing conflict. Groups
able to assert their political power use the law and the criminal justice system to
advance their economic and social position. Criminal laws, therefore, are viewed as
acts created to protect the haves from the have-nots. Critical criminologists often
compare and contrast the harsh penalties exacted on the poor for their “street crimes”
(burglary, robbery) with the minor penalties the wealthy receive for their white collar
crimes, though the latter may cause considerable more social harm. While the poor go
to prison for minor violations, the wealthy are given lenient sentences for even the
most serious breaches of law. Rather than being class neutral, criminal law reflects and
protects established economic, racial, gendered, and political power privilege.
Crime according to this definition is a political concept designed to protect the power
and the position of upper classes at the expense of the poor. According to this conflict
view of crime, “real” crimes would include the following acts:
• Violations of human rights due to racism, sexism and imperialism
• Unsafe working conditions
• Inadequate childcare
• Inadequate opportunities for employment and education
• Substandard housing and medical care
