Overview
This lecture discusses Marxist theories of crime and deviance, focusing on Louis Althusser's ideas about how the ruling class maintains control in society.
Althusser's Marxist Theory
- Althusser was a structural Marxist who saw Marxism as scientific due to its study of social structures.
- He argued that the state serves the interests of the ruling class by maintaining and reproducing social inequality.
- The economic base (infrastructure) controls the superstructure, which includes institutions and culture.
State Apparatuses
- Althusser identified two state apparatuses: Ideological State Apparatus (ISA) and Repressive State Apparatus (RSA).
- The ISA uses social institutions (education, media, religion, family) to shape beliefs, promote obedience, and legitimize inequality.
- The RSA uses force through policing, legal systems, and armed forces to control dissent and maintain order.
- ISA operates through informal social control, while RSA operates through formal social control like imprisonment and violence.
Examples and Functions
- Education teaches hierarchy and obedience.
- Family socializes children into hard work and acceptance of inequality.
- Religion promises rewards for suffering, reinforcing acceptance of current conditions.
- Media promotes conformity and marginalizes non-conformists.
- Examples of RSA include police responses to riots and protests, such as the 2011 UK riots and Black Lives Matter protests.
Criticisms and Evaluation
- Althusser's theories are largely theoretical and not based on empirical research.
- Some people reject ruling class ideology but still conform without RSA intervention.
- Peaceful protests and government responses illustrate that not all dissent results in force.
- Democratic societies may allow protest as legitimate political action, as seen in policy changes after protests.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Structural Marxism — A form of Marxism focusing on structures over individual actions.
- Infrastructure (Economic Base) — The economic foundation of society that shapes other institutions.
- Superstructure — Social institutions and culture shaped by the economic base.
- Ideological State Apparatus (ISA) — Institutions that control beliefs and values (education, media, religion, family).
- Repressive State Apparatus (RSA) — Organizations that control through force (police, military, legal system).
- Informal Social Control — Subtle means of influencing behavior, such as norms and values.
- Formal Social Control — Direct means of control, like laws and physical force.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review Althusser’s distinctions between ISA and RSA.
- Prepare examples of both apparatuses for class discussion.
- Read further on criticisms of structural Marxism.