CRM/LAW C108 Lecture Notes - Lecture 18: Critical Criminology, Proletariat, Bourgeoisie
26 Nov 2016
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Document Summary
Focuses on structure of society and the unequal structure of society. General term for theories or explanations that take a critical view towards society and the assumptions of traditional criminology. Critique social structures and the practices of traditional criminologists who study street crime. Middle petit bourgeoisie: experiences of life were more aligned with proletariat. This class structure leads to high levels of crime. Crime understood within the context of inequality and power. Crime is a political concept: by labeling certain activities as crimes versus not crimes we create power structures. Example) burglary = crime; companies using people not crime. In the process of redefining crime, criminologists will redefine themselves, no longer to be the defenders of order but rather the guardians of human rights (schwendinger and schwendinger 1975) The criminal justice system serves the interests of the rich: doesn"t serve the interests of overall society, criminal law is enforced by using behaviors that we would normally consider criminal.
