Foundations of Critical Criminology
Critical Criminology gained prominence in the 1960's alongside other movements such as the civil rights and feminist movements. What was it also known as due to its focus on societal struggles?
Conflict Criminology
In Marxist thought, the ruling class who own the means of production are known by this term
what is the Bourgeiosie?
According to critical criminologists, this group is disproportionately criminalized by the CJS
Crime news primarily focuses on offences committed by this economic class.
Who are the working and lower classes?
The elite has a significant influence over lawmaking through the use this group of government advocation
This economic and poltical thinker's ideas serve as the foundaiton of critical criminology
Who is Karl Marx
Marx argued that under capitalism, workers are alienated from this, which they create but do not own
What are the products of their labour?
Critical criminologists argue that the media disproportionately and increasingly reports on crime despite this fact.
What are crime rates decreasing?
Critical criminologists argue that, under capitalism, the law is designed to benefit this social class.
What is the ruling class?
Critical Criminology is often politically engaged and seeks to enact what type of action?
What is Real-World reform
What is class consciousness?
A famous example of wealth-based legal privilege, this young man avoided prison after killing four people in a drunk driving incident by using the affluenza defense.
Who is Ethan Couch?
This serious crime derives its origins from the old English ruling class imposing a tax on it's community of subjects if any of their members were found dead.
What is Murder (or Murderom)?
prior to the introduction of murder, manslaughter was the most serious crime.
Unlike traditional criminology, which often examines individual motivations for crime, critical criminology focuses on these macro-level structural conditions. (3 conditions)
what are power dynamics, class struggles, and systemic inequality?
Marx described capitalism as inherently unstable because of this recurring economic phenomenon, which creates economic crises.
What are cycles of boom and bust (or crises of overproduction)?
According to conflict theorists, the legal system does not merely enforce laws but plays an active role in doing this to class division.
What is Moral Panic?
The idea that the law is not an objective set of rules but rather a mechanism to maintain power structures is closely tied to this legal theory
One of the primary critiques of criminology from a critical perspective is that the field itself serves this function, rather than challenging power structures
What is reinforcing institutional control?
Marxist criminologists argue that crime is not a failure of individuals but rather a function of capitalism itself. What is the specific term used to described this perspective?
Critical criminoloigsts argue that capitalism not only criminalizes poverty but also legalizes exploitation through these economic practices. (3 options)
What is wage theft?
What is predatory lending?
What is tax avoidance?
Some critical criminologists argue that the corporate-owned news media serves as an ideological state apparatus, reinforcing capitalist norms. This concept was first developed by which French Marxist Theorist?
Who is Louis Althusser
Critical criminologists argue that crime statistics and law enforcement priorities are influenced by this broader economic and political system, rather than objective legal principles.
What is neoliberalism?