Crime as a product of class struggle.

Study for the WJEC Level 3 Applied Diploma in Criminology Test. Review concepts with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, with detailed explanations provided. Prepare today!

Multiple Choice

Crime as a product of class struggle.

Explanation:
The idea that crime is a product of class struggle comes from Marxist criminology. In capitalist societies, deep inequality and the exploitation of some groups by others create ongoing tension between social classes. This tension can push people toward criminal acts, either as a response to material deprivation or as a form of resistance to an unfair system. Importantly, laws and policing are seen as tools that protect the interests of the ruling class, defining what counts as crime and who gets punished in ways that help maintain the social order. So crime is understood not just as individual actions, but as part of the larger structure of power and economic relations. Other theories offer different angles—for example, realism looks at crime in terms of social order and the consequences for public safety; Freud would attribute criminal behavior to inner psychological forces. But Marxism uniquely links crime directly to the capitalist system and class conflict, which is why it’s the best fit for the statement.

The idea that crime is a product of class struggle comes from Marxist criminology. In capitalist societies, deep inequality and the exploitation of some groups by others create ongoing tension between social classes. This tension can push people toward criminal acts, either as a response to material deprivation or as a form of resistance to an unfair system. Importantly, laws and policing are seen as tools that protect the interests of the ruling class, defining what counts as crime and who gets punished in ways that help maintain the social order. So crime is understood not just as individual actions, but as part of the larger structure of power and economic relations.

Other theories offer different angles—for example, realism looks at crime in terms of social order and the consequences for public safety; Freud would attribute criminal behavior to inner psychological forces. But Marxism uniquely links crime directly to the capitalist system and class conflict, which is why it’s the best fit for the statement.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy