Are the working class the criminal class

working class stay loyal to the bourgeoisie and keep the workplace safe and healthy, rather than to protect the working class.Marxists also argue that depending on the type of crime carried out, they will be dealt with differently. It is more likely that crimes such as property theft or vandalism are to be given a more severe punishment as they are more likely to be committed by the working class. This relates back to Bonger’s theory that suggests capitalism is the cause of inequality and therefore why the working class commit crime. However, this theory can be seen as reductionist as it does not involve other factors which may cause inequalities or even other factors which cause people to commit crime.The media exploit the working class also by imputing continuous stories of working class related crime. This relates to Hall ‘policing the crisis’ where stories of ‘muggings’ were implemented to prevent social panic of other crisis’ arising. In a way it could be inferred that the ruling class are oppressing the working class by changing the subject to prevent the working class speaking up, which again relates back to promoting ideologies of the ruling class. Because of these articles put into newspapers or broadcasting news, many began to label the working class as the ‘criminal class’. However, this leads onto how other areas of crime aren’t revealed nor reported, such as corporate and white collar crime.It is argued that official statistics which offer a range of figures containing reported crime are inaccurate and not representative of the population. The working class are exploited as the only class to commit crime. It is argued by both McLaughlin (1996) and Cohen(1993) that crimes committed by the state aren’t noted. Cohen suggests that the state claim three statements of denial:1) It does not happen here2)It is something else e.g. self defence.3)It is justified for example it protects society.McLaughlin argues that criminological studies do not focus on crimes committed by the state. Therefore does this not suggest that statistics are an unreliable source to society and providing false information? Official statistics then do not provide a true picture of what is happening in society. Take white collar crime, if white collar crime is usually committed by middle/upper class citizens there is a possibility that the majority of their crimes aren’t reported as Marxist suggest. The ruling class are more likely to get away with crime as they are able to focus crime on working class through control of the media.Although official statistics provide statistical data which can be used to easily analysed they do not provide qualititative data as to why  certain crimes are committed or why certain crimes are committed by different social classes. It can therefore be argued that official statistics are reductionist as they only provide figures rather than reasons to back up research shown. Official statistics can also be criticized because as mentioned they do not provide a true picture of crime in society. Many crimes such as corporate and white collar crime are not reported which then exploits the working class. This again supports the above that official statistics are reductionist as if someone was to analyse the statistics they may come to the conclusion that ‘only the working class commit crime as that is all the figures say’. However, statistics may be altered to suit the ruling class and the society is left in a state of false class consciousness.Marxists can also be criticized of their beliefs. Many believe that Marxists do not talk about the percentage of the working class who do not commit crime and therefore over represent the idea that many believe the working class are the criminal class. Feminists believe that Marxists ideas are false as they believe females are exploited within society rather than the working class. They mentioned ‘If the most exploited people in society are likely to commit crime, then why are statistics so low on female crime? They are the most exploited in the capitalist society’. However, their ideology could be criticized as females may choose not to report crime committed towards them due to being afraid if they are a victim of rape or abuse. Again official statistics do not represent the sample of society.In conclusion it is debateable as to whether the working class are the criminal class. Statistics do not seem to represent the amount of crime committed by each social class due to the working class being oppressed by ruling class ideology state apparatus. And although Marxists believe that the working class are exploited there are criticisms against this to suggest Marxists do not focus on other reasons why the working class are the most exploited when it comes to committing crime and are therefore reductionists as well as ignoring other groups within society which may be exploited towards society like females, young children or ethnic groups as well as ignoring the percentage of working class people who do not commit crime. Foirell Tyndale6B1