Chapter 4, Response Paper. (Introduction to Criminology)

Chapter 4: Crime and Inequality Name: Institution: Course: Instructor: Date: Chapter 4: Crime and Inequality Summary of the Reading Chapter 4 is a detailed reading about crime and inequality, and the assumptions held about their causes and triggers. The three theories that receive attention in the reading are Karl Marx’s theory of class struggle and capitalism; critical race theory, and feminist theory. According to Karl Marx, the society is a representation of power struggle and alienations, and crime ad criminal justice policies are a reflection of this struggle. In his theories, Karl Marx argues that the capitalist mode of production is the major cause of social exploitation, social inequality, and social alienation, which have in return, triggered deviant behaviours and criminal activities. Capitalist have created a system where minority control means of production, whereas the majority sell their labor for survival. This kind of economic disparities in power, resources access, and wealth, have influenced crime as those in the lower class system resort to illegal options to meet daily needs as well as address other challenges they face in the social order. Marx also raises the issue of alienation by capitalist production which makes majority frustrated and disconnected, and thus crime. Secondly, crime and inequality is also explained through the lens of gender. According to feminist theory, crime and inequality is explained by the patriarchal system that has continued to privilege men over women. The feministic theory perspective argues that the society is set according to the needs, desires, and perspectives of men; and many women have been fooled to accept these male-set standards. Ideally, the patriarchal systems have for many years perpetuated masculinity which has led to women suppression and subordination. Feminist also argue that issues such as gender based violence are rooted in the social structures of control and power. This is because, patriarchy, according to them no...