Using material from item A and elsewhere, examine reasons for the appeal of the new age and new religious movements.

Authors Avatar

Gemma Phillips

Using the material from item A and elsewhere assess the usefulness of Marxist approaches to an understanding of crime and deviance. (21 marks)

Marxist approaches can be useful to help us understand crime and deviance. Marxists theory thinks the ruling class is to blame for all societies’ problems. They think crime is systematically generated by the structure of capitalist society. Capitalism emphasizes the individual rather than the wellbeing of everyone. This system encourages aggression and highlights the importance of winning. They see crime as an inevitable consequence of capitalism.

Marxist say that the rich and powerful decide what is considered deviant and criminal in society to suit their own needs and interests. This supports item A as it states ‘a set of rules laid down by the state in the interest of the ruling class’ No surprise that the most common group convicted of crime is the working class. As Marxist say the system is rigged against them.  

Informal social control is achieved through socialisation where individuals are taught to accept ideas and norms which support the status quo is society. These ideas are supported by institutions of the state such as the education and legal systems. The ability to informally control ideas in this way is hegemony. Part of the capitalist class hegemony is the belief that the legal system operates in the interests of everyone in society. Traditional Marxist argue the legal system is actually a method of formal social control over the population. They claim the legal system backs up the ideas and values of the ruling class ideology.

Join now!

If socialisation was to fail and it often does, the threat of what will happen if you commit a crime will prevent the proletariat from rising up against their oppressors. Marxists say that law is not enforced equally in capitalist societies, as the laws are made by the state, which represent the ruling class.
Snyder observes that many capitalist societies are often unwilling to pass laws that will result in large industries and corporations. She argues that working class crimes such as burglary don’t cause as much harm in society as corporate crimes such as breaking health and safety laws. ...

This is a preview of the whole essay