MARXISTMARXISTCRIMINOLOGYCRIMINOLOGY

Often called New Criminology;Often called New Criminology;

Radical Criminology,Radical Criminology,

Or worseOr worse

Marxist CriminologyMarxist Criminology

We will return to this at semester endWe will return to this at semester end Overview of Marxist TheoryOverview of Marxist Theory Don’t get caught in over simplificationDon’t get caught in over simplification Some factors in the end are more Some factors in the end are more

important than others, but can take a important than others, but can take a back seatback seat

How human beings organize their lives How human beings organize their lives to meet subsistence and needs, is to meet subsistence and needs, is criticalcritical

Marxist CriminologyMarxist Criminology

Various theories in this paradigm Various theories in this paradigm focus on different thingsfocus on different things

One important one is LAWOne important one is LAW Law serves class interestsLaw serves class interests Law serves a legitimating functionLaw serves a legitimating function Law protects everybody's property – Law protects everybody's property –

but who does it really protect?but who does it really protect? Law helps maintain the system Law helps maintain the system

regardless of classregardless of class

Marxist CriminologyMarxist Criminology

Marxist’s must also look at crimeMarxist’s must also look at crime We will look at Spitzer laterWe will look at Spitzer later But, Marx looks at lumpenproletariatBut, Marx looks at lumpenproletariat ““Primitive Rebellion Thesis”: Primitive Rebellion Thesis”:

Some crime is a form of revoltSome crime is a form of revolt For example??For example??

““Demoralization”: Measure of Demoralization”: Measure of success? Self? Etc.success? Self? Etc.