Using two theories, explain Marxists theories on crime and deviance

Marxists argue the sole nature and organization of capitalism fosters an environment where crime is encouraged and the potential for criminal behaviour is increased

Gordon (1976) argues that crime is seen as a logical response to the pressures on the working class by capitalism. Capitalism is based around class inequalities, that is the working class and the ruling class, in which the distribution of wealth and income is unequal. To add to this, capitalism encourages consumerism and materialism and thus encourages greed and exploitation. As a result, capitalism as an ideology encourages the disadvantaged working class to commit crime in an attempt to pursue their materialistic goals.

Althusser (1970) further agues that the state works to preserve the interests of capitalism by acting as an 'apparatus'. The law, Althusser argues, is mainly there to protect the interests of capitalism - businesses, wealth, private property and the government. Much law is passed that protects the interests of private businesses such as copyrighting, trademarking and data protection law. This often means that governments and businesses will often experience reduced punishments than if an individual was to commit a similar offence.