SOC 2700 Chapter Notes - Chapter 13: Syllogism, Serendipity, Critical Criminology

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 2700
• Professor: Scott Brandon

Document Summary

Criminological theory chapter 13: marxist criminology, postmodern criminology. Critical theories share the view that inequality in power is causally related to the problem of crime. Unlike conflict theories, critical theories make specific arguments on the sources or origins of power. Marxist theories locate power in ownership of the means of production. Postmodern theories locate power in the control over language systems. According to these theories, getting to the root of the problem of crime requires social change at the most fundamental level. The focus on what ought to be rather than what is, on the ideal rather than on the real, is what distinguishes these theories from mainstream criminology. Critical theories are difficult to summarize because area. Karl marx developed his theory in the immediate aftermath of the social changes brought on by the. He attempted to explain why these changes occurred and what was coming next.