A Critical Comparison Of Marxist Theory And Merton’S Strain

A Critical Comparison of Marxist Theory and Merton’s Strain Theory of Deviance. Introduction: This particular work will consist of a critical theoretical review and a comparative analysis on two criminological theories. For the comparison I have chosen Marx’s theory of crime and Merton’s strain theory of deviance. My critical comparison analysis will emphasise the central concepts and arguments within both theories and how each theory explains crime. The analysis will then explore modern day studies in which have stemmed from these theories as well as explore the many similarities and differences between these two theories. Exploring the strengths and weaknesses in both approaches and concluding that although both theories are†¦show more content†¦One of these being William Chambliss’s handling of the â€Å"Saints and the Roughnecks† where the ‘Saints’ are a collection of 8 white upper- middle- class boys on the pre-collage trail in high school, who participate in astonishing large amounts of truancy, a countless acts of drink ing and driving, minor stealing and vandalism, and a lot of cheating in school all while maintaining the perfect image. On the other hand, the ‘Roughnecks’ were a group of six lower-class boys who engage in studious amounts of fighting (typically between themselves or alongside other lower-class boys) and shoplifting, who are frequently detained, and whose appearance in the public is horrendous. In Chambliss s view, the Saint’s behavior partook at least as much prospect of impending community harm as the behavior of the Roughnecks. (Chambliss, 1973) In comparison Merton’s theory put forward a entirely different rationalisation of the causes of crime, and juxtaposing major ideals about who commits these crimes, Marxists points out that absence of egalitarianism of opportunity is at the centre of the capitalist system and Merton contends that not all individuals who lack genuine opportunities look to crime to do so. (Eglin and Hester, 2013). An Overview of Merton’s Strain Theory: Merton’s complete theory was founded on the preliminary idea of the â€Å"American Dream† and the cultural structures of the United States ofShow MoreRelatedTracing Theoretical Approaches to Crime and Social Control: from Functionalism to Postmodernism16559 Words   |  67 Pages.................................................................................................... 6 FUNCTIONALISM, ANOMIE, AND STRAIN THEORY ........................................................ 6-25 Strain theory ............................................................................................................... 12 Merton‘s Anomie (strain) theory................................................................................ 13 Capitalistic culture..........................Read MoreEssay on Criminological Theories13456 Words   |  54 PagesStudent Study Guide for Ronald L. Akers and Christine S. Sellers’ Criminological Theories: Introduction, Evaluation, and Applications Fourth Edition Prepared by Eric See Youngstown State University Roxbury Publishing Company Los Angeles, California 1 Student Study Guide by Eric See for Criminological Theories: Introduction, Evaluation, and Application , 4th Edition by Ronald L. Akers and Christine S. Sellers Copyright  © 2004 Roxbury Publishing Company, Los Angeles, California