This essay proposal will discuss two theories, Merton’s Strain Theory and Marxism Theory, that explain theft. White, Haines, and Asquith, 2017 both discuss how crime has a social origin rather than being individualised and personal. Although both theories seem to explain theft, I will also discuss some limitations and compare and contrast them throughout the proposal. Crime: Theft means to take someone’s belongings and property without their consent. Thief is a person who does this (Kaplan Binder, Weisberg and Binder, 2012). Prevalence The total number of thefts across New Zealand in September 2017 was 5,948. This number has increased over time. In December 2017, 6,491 thefts were recorded, while 7,289. Bay of Plenty had the largest number of stolen goods (POLICE DECUT).
Stealing has become a more prominent problem in New Zealand. Manifestations Manifestation (Davies & Pearson), 1999. According to Merton’s Strain Theory, theft would result in economic gain (White, Haines & Asquith 2017, 2017). Stealing becomes a way of survival, as explained in the Genesis Section below. The Marxist Theory states that theft can also be used to gain economic profit, but to provide subsistence for the lower classes and maximize the profits for the elites. Genesis We don’t believe that class is the only way to define social strata in liberal countries like New Zealand. (France and Roberts, 2017). The social order in New Zealand is determined by’social and financial status’ (p. 12). Social inequality has been a result of the increasing wealth gap between New Zealand’s richest and poorest over the years (Rashbrook 2013, 2013). France and Roberts (2017) also state that the social classes hold a pivotal place in structural constraints analysis on young people’s origins or destinations (p.69). People who are poorer are more likely to stay in their current state of affairs and cannot escape. This is why they resort to criminal and delinquent behavior as a survival strategy. The Merton Strain Theory, Marxism Theory and the Marxism Theory were based on the inequalities in economic and social status. Merton’s Strain Theory According Merton, Strain Theory is a social disjuncture characterized by a’social strain in a society’. Merton (1938), suggested that crime can only be understood in terms of two variables – the goals of a culture and the means to achieve them. Merton (1983), people all have the American Dream. They want to be wealthy, successful and have equal opportunities. According to Merton (1938), people have five options for dealing with strain: conformism (Merton 1938), innovation, ritualisms, retreatism, rebellion and ritualism.
To achieve success and wealth, people are inclined to adopt delinquent behavior. This theory shows that thieves are creative and innovative. The New Zealand Parliament’s 2011 research showed that income inequality has increased in both 1985 (0.27) and 2008 (0.33). The study also revealed an increase poverty rates, especially among Maori and Pacific youth. The Office of the Children’s Commissioner revealed that poverty had a negative effect upon children’s education and confidence as well psychologically and physically. Because of the social inequalities in New Zealand, many people are unable to reach their goals. This makes stealing a survival strategy. Agnew (2012) says that because they lack funds, people resort to theft as a way to alleviate their frustration.
Critiques
Theory is most applicable to the lower classes.
This theory doesn’t explain why crime is more common in certain age groups (e.g. late teens stealing more than older adults).
Theory is primarily concerned with individual responses to strain and not group-based crimes.
It doesn’t discuss the inter- and intra-personal aspects. Marxist Theory is based in the study and analysis of power divisions that cause economic and social inequality. White, Haines & Asquith (2017, p. 116) states that the elites have the decisive power in a community’ (p. 116) and can decide what crimes are criminal or not. The Merton Strain Theory suggests that the working class (people less powerful than the elite) are demoralized by capitalism and are more inclined to steal as a means to subsistence. Stanley (2016) writes about New Zealand’s social inequalities and the link between the marginalized population and crimes like theft. The Marxist approach, however, explains why the elites (the powerful) also steal (e.g. Even though they are wealthy and have the means to commit fraud, the Marxist approach also explains why the powerful (the elites), steal (e.g. This is because they need to accumulate wealth and maximize profit (117), so that their economic dominance and high-class status can be maintained (White, Haines & Asquith 2017, 2017). Lynette Wilson, a Maori trust she founded, took more than $114,000.
Critiques
It is not possible for everyone to steal from someone who is poor. Same as the Merton theory.
The theory is too generalized and broad (Williams 2012).
Romanticises thief’s image as a ‘primitive-class rebel’ (129), and understates the harm done to victims (White Haines, Asquith, 2017,).
Stanley (2016). I used the article to show that theft can be caused by social inequalities.
It is important to remember that the thefts of the powerful are more business-related and occur on a greater scale than those of the non-powerful. This theory does not explain why powerful people steal the same items as non-powerful persons.
Theory touches on Media power, which only focuses attention on certain groups of people (such a certain ethnic group) when reporting on the alleged crimes.
Both Marxism’s theory and Merton’s provide excellent explanations for theft.
The Marxist theory may explain why wealthy people steal, but it doesn’t explain how powerful people steal from non-powerful people.
Merton as well as Marxism help to explain why people of lower class steal because they lack the means or are desperate for survival.
Both theories focus not on theft’s intra- and interpersonal aspects and neither address why theft may be more prevalent in particular age groups.
Merton’s Strain as well as Marxist Theories are both good explanations of the crime. I also talked about how Marxism explains certain aspects better of theft. Merton’s theory on the ends of the equation couldn’t explain why rich people would take, so I also discussed how Marxism’s theory helps to explain some aspects of theft. I also discussed similarities and explained how both theories helped me understand why working-class people steal. We can compare the theories to understand some aspects of crime. However, each theory has its limits. This just shows that criminal behavior is subjective and abstract.
