Marxist and Postmodern Criminology

Introduction 

Marxist criminology and postmodern criminology are critical theories of criminology with the view that crime has a direct relationship with inequality in power. The Marxist theory concentrates in the power allocation through ownership of means of production. Postmodern theory, on the other hand, associates power with control of language systems. Thus, critical approaches emphasize that the existence of crime is due to power arrangements and as a social problem can be solved through power rearrangement and especially by achieving social justice. 

Marxist criminology 

Marx describes crime and criminal behavior to policies made by the economy made up of the ruling class and the laborers. Marx argues that the ruling class or the owners of the means of production control social relation due to their excessive political power compared to other groups in society. Crime and violent actions are caused by imbalances in the distribution of resources where the ruling class continue to grow smaller and wealthier while the proletariat class continue to increase in number and poverty. Social justice is not achieved as criminal law, and criminal justice favors the ruling class further deteriorating the conditions of survival in society. According to Marx laborers in the community continue to increase in number becoming unemployed and underemployed pushing them to various crimes and vices. Marks also cite crime as a form of struggle of the isolated group. Thus the Marxist theory relates crime directly to capitalism caused by economic inequality in ownership and distribution of factors of productions. 

Postmodern criminology 

Postmodernists examine the role of language in creating meaning identity truth and justice power and knowledge. Postmodern criminologists describe how language has changed the criminal justice system and the participants regarding crime and violence. They argue that policies in the postmodern world through language marginalize, alienate and oppress the criminal justice system. For example, the use of courtroom language prevents victims of crime from achieving justice as their stories are changed to fit the preferred language of the court. The theorists argue for a replacement of such discourses in use of language to encourage inclusivity, diverse communication and plural culture. Such changes constitute the transformation of definitions of criminal acts which will create a society that has liberated citizens in the reduction of crimes. Postmodernity criminology foresees a community where diversity is respected reducing victimization of people by criminals and punishment offered by the criminal justice system to the broader community. 

Combined views 

Postmodernity criminology and Marxist criminology interconnect in their proposals in the emergence and regulation of crimes in society. As critical theories, they condemn the use of resources in the community where Marx is against the ruling class and post-modernist are against the use of language to oppress the society and encourage crimes and violence in society. Therefore, by regulating the power of resources and communication in society, inequalities will be reduced. They both recognize crime as a real social problem affecting society which needs to be addressed through the formulation and incorporation of criminal justice policies. 

Conclusion 

Critical theories constituting postmodernist theorists and Marxist theorists focus crime in society as a result of inequalities in resources. Post-modernist theorist claim that the use of language in the various setting has led to alienation oppression and marginalization of victims of crimes and recommends the need for reforms in the criminal justice system through policies. Marxist criminology advocates distribution of power to eliminate inequalities in resources by the ruling class. Thus crime and violence in society will only be resolved through policies which govern the power of language and concentration of resources as recommended by Marxist criminology and postmodern theorists.