Outline two ways that the nature of capitalism may cause people to commit crime.
AQA
A Level
2024
👑Complete Model Essay
Free Essay Plan
Capitalism and Crime: An Essay Outline
This essay will outline two ways in which the nature of capitalism may contribute to crime. Firstly, it will explore how the inherent inequalities embedded within capitalism can create conditions that foster criminal activity. Secondly, it will examine how the cultural values and norms promoted by capitalism can lead some individuals to engage in crime.
1. The Inequality of Capitalism
Capitalism is a system based on private ownership of the means of production and the pursuit of profit. This structure inherently creates inequalities in wealth and power, which can lead to criminal activity.
Poverty and Homelessness: The concentration of wealth in the hands of a few, while many struggle to survive, can result in poverty and homelessness. These conditions can increase the likelihood of individuals engaging in crime to meet their basic needs. For example, theft, drug dealing, or prostitution might be seen as "rational" responses to systemic inequality.
Strain Theory: Robert Merton’s Strain Theory suggests that crime arises from a tension between culturally defined goals and the legitimate means of achieving them. In a capitalist society, the goal of wealth and success is widely promoted, but not everyone has equal access to legitimate means of achieving it. This can lead to "strain" and feelings of frustration, alienation, and powerlessness.
Blocked Opportunities: Limited access to education, employment, and social mobility can further exacerbate the strain experienced by those living within a capitalist system. These blocked opportunities can lead some to seek illegitimate means of achieving their desired goals, such as engaging in criminal activities like drug dealing or theft.
2. Capitalist Culture and Crime
Capitalist ideology promotes individualistic values, such as competition, self-reliance, and the pursuit of personal wealth. These values can contribute to criminal activity in several ways.
Individualism and Greed: Capitalism’s focus on individual achievement and material gain can foster a sense of entitlement and greed. This can lead some individuals to engage in crime, seeing it as a shortcut to wealth and status.
Consumerism and Relative Deprivation: Advertising and the media constantly bombard individuals with images of desirable lifestyles and consumer goods, creating a sense of relative deprivation. Individuals may feel pressured to achieve these materialistic goals, even if they lack the means to do so legitimately. This "pressure to succeed" could lead to crime as a means of acquiring the desired goods.
Deviant Subcultures: Capitalist culture can create a sense of alienation and frustration among those struggling to achieve success. This can lead to the formation of deviant subcultures that challenge mainstream norms and values. These subcultures may engage in criminal activities such as gang violence, drug dealing, or vandalism, as a way of expressing their frustration and creating a sense of belonging within a system that marginalizes them.
Conclusion
Capitalism, as a system, creates conditions that can contribute to crime. The inherent inequalities of the system can lead individuals to resort to criminal activities, while the cultural values it promotes can foster greed, competition, and a sense of relative deprivation that may lead individuals to engage in criminal behavior. It is important to acknowledge these factors to develop effective strategies for addressing crime and promoting social justice.
How Capitalism May Cause Crime
Capitalism, as an economic system, inherently possesses features that can contribute to criminal behaviour within society. This essay will outline two key ways in which the nature of capitalism may lead individuals to engage in crime.
Economic Inequality and Crime
One significant factor is the stark economic inequality fostered by capitalist societies. The pursuit of profit and private ownership can result in a significant wealth gap, leaving certain groups experiencing poverty and homelessness. For these individuals, crime can be seen as a rational, albeit illegal, response to their circumstances. When basic needs are not met through legitimate means, the pursuit of survival or alleviating poverty might drive individuals towards theft, robbery, or other property crimes. The strain theory supports this, arguing that the pressure to achieve socially valued goals, like financial success, can push individuals towards criminal behaviour when legitimate opportunities are blocked.
Consumerism, Relative Deprivation, and Crime
Secondly, capitalist societies often promote consumerism and materialistic values. The media plays a significant role in this by constantly showcasing affluent lifestyles and desirable products, leading to feelings of relative deprivation among those who cannot afford such a lifestyle. This can breed frustration, resentment, and a sense of injustice, particularly among those who experience blocked opportunities for upward mobility. Such individuals may turn to crime as a way to attain these material goods or achieve a sense of status and success that feels otherwise unattainable. This can manifest in various forms, from shoplifting and credit card fraud to more serious offenses like drug dealing or theft.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while capitalism has its merits, it's crucial to acknowledge its potential to contribute to criminal behaviour. The inherent economic inequality and the relentless promotion of consumerism can create an environment where crime becomes a viable, albeit negative, coping mechanism for individuals facing poverty, lack of opportunity, and the pressure to achieve material success. Addressing these root causes within the capitalist system is essential to mitigating crime and fostering a more just and equitable society.
Free Mark Scheme Extracts
Sociological Explanations of Crime
Sociological explanations of crime argue that crime is not simply the result of individual choice but rather a product of social factors. Some key sociological theories of crime include:
Strain Theory
Strain theory suggests that crime is a result of the strain or pressure that individuals experience when they are unable to achieve socially acceptable goals through legitimate means. This can include:
- Experiences of poverty or homelessness (1 mark); crime can be seen as an inevitable and rational response to wealth and income inequality (+1 mark)
- Status frustration and feelings of alienation and powerlessness (1 mark); this may result in deviant subcultures forming to relieve these feelings through violence, gangs and drug dealing (+1 mark)
- Blocked opportunities to achieve materialistic goals of success (1 mark); the result of tensions and strain may lead some to turn to illegitimate ways to achieve these goals (+1 mark)
Subcultural Theory
Subcultural theory argues that crime is a product of the values and norms of certain subcultures. This can include:
- Capitalist cultures are becoming more individualistic (1 mark); this may cause some people to turn to crime in order to attain individualistic goals such as personal wealth (+1 mark)
Learning Theory
Learning theory suggests that criminal behavior is learned through association with others. This can include:
- Feelings of relative deprivation (1 mark); the media have encouraged consumerism by showing desirable lifestyles which may result in criminality (+1 mark).
It is important to note that these are just a few of the many sociological explanations of crime. Other relevant material should be credited. No marks for no relevant points.