NCJ Number
56429
Journal
Contemporary Crises Volume: 2 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 1978) Pages: 277-292
Date Published
1978
Length
16 pages
Annotation
THIS ESSAY ON RADICAL CRIMINOLOGY QUESTIONS THE DEVELOPMENTS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN THE UNITED STATES WHICH SEEK TO CONTROL ANY THREAT TO THE CAPITALIST SYSTEM OF PRODUCTION.
Abstract
THE ROLE OF THE RADICAL CRIMINOLOGIST IS BEST UNDERSTOOD WITHIN AN ANALYSIS OF THE ONGOING PROCESSES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CAPITALISM. FOR EVEN THE CRIMINOLOGISTS HAVE BEEN AGENTS OF THE CAPITALIST STATE. THE CLASS STRUCTURE OF DEVELOPING IS AN EXPRESSION OF THE ANTAGONISTIC RELATION BETWEEN THOSE WHO CONTROL THE MEANS OF PRODUCTION AND THOSE WHO DO NOT. SOCIAL ORDER IS MAINTAINED WITHIN THE CLASS STRUGGLE BY THE STATE'S PERVASIVE INTERVENTION INTO THE ECONOMY. CRIMINAL JUSTICE WORKERS ARE EMPLOYED TO STABILIZE THE POPULATION AND MAINTAIN SOCIAL PEACE, FREQUENTLY USING ACTUAL FORCE OR LEGAL PUNISHMENT. SUCH 'REPRESSIVE WORKERS' AS THE POLICE ACTUALLY WORK AGAINST THEIR OWN WORKING-CLASS INTERESTS. THE TENSION PROVOKED BY SUCH CONTRADICTIONS WILL UNDERMINE THE POSSIBILITY OF CONTINUED DOMINATION BY THE CAPITALIST STATE. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT CRIMINOLOGISTS CEASE LEGITIMIZING THE CAPITALIST STATE, AND BEGIN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIALISM. THE PRACTICE OF A SOCIALIST CRIMINOLOGY INVOLVES AN EMPHASIS ON THE LIBERATION OF PEOPLE, RATHER THAN THE DESTRUCTION OF CAPITALIST DOMINATION. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)