Subject: MSC 207-Fundamentals of Criminology

Date: November 14, 2020

Topics Presented:

 Instrumental vs. Structural Theory

 The Cause of Crime
 Globalization
 State Organized Crime
 Crime and Social Institutions
 Critiques of Critical Criminology
 Forms of Critical Criminology
 Critical Feminist Theory
 Peacemaking Criminology
 Critical Theory and Restorative Justice
 The Concept of Restorative Justice
 The Process of Restoration

Instruction for Asynchronous Learning

1. Students are required to make summary, comments, evaluation and

recommendation in writing of every topic presented supported with related
literature with references.
I. Summary of the Report

Among the topics presented is the comparison of Instrumental and Structural

theory. In these theories the cause of crime is capitalism. Thus, the criminal justice
system is being used to protect the interest of the elite capitalists. Instrumental
theorists explain that both law and criminal justice system focus upon the division
between the ruling class elite and the laborers. Thus, the ruling class elite control
the means of production, which allows them to control the political state as well.
This control allows them to manipulate the laborers and control the masses both
economically and legally. Hence, they view the entire political state, to include the
law and the criminal justice system as tools of the ruling class. While Structural
theory states that the political state is not under the total control of the ruling elite;
that from time to time, laws may be passed that harm the ruling elite; and that their
members, on occasion, may be subject to state control.

Critical Criminology as extension of Marxist theory goes beyond the examination

of the effects of capitalism on crime. Hence, it takes a critical stance against
mainstream criminology. Rejecting the notion that law is designed to maintain a
tranquil, fair society and that criminals are malevolent people who wants to
trample the rights of others. Critical Feminist theory also explains both criminality
and victimization among women in terms of gender inequality, patriarchy, and the
exploitation of women under capitalism.

Moreover, Critical Criminologists view that the key-producing element of modern

corporate capitalism is the effort to create surplus value where displaced workers
becomes a part of the swelling number of marginalized population that are forced
to live in areas conducive to crime. State crimes also arise from the efforts of the
elected officials within the context of their jobs as government representatives to
maintain power or to uphold their race, class, and or gender advantages.
Globalization also viewed as does not only provide innovation and development
but also different threats that could pave a way to crimes that uses the same
advantage brought by globalization. They also believe that crime is caused by a
power struggle in society. Variations include constitutive, postmodern, left/critical
realism, cultural criminology, and peacemaking criminology. And that the violence
can then be replaced with non-violent solutions. Finally, the concept of Restorative
justice was also discussed as an attempt to re-establish the lost relationship that
existed between the involved parties in the crime before its commission.

II. Reaction

In reality, the topics presented on social conflict and a capitalism theory exists in
our society and state (organized) crimes are still rampant. Issues surrounding the
government officials that involve political corruption, human rights, and other
crimes such as state-corporate and state violence in their quest to maintain power
and wealth at the expense of the poor and the state. I would also agree that
globalization is both a blessing and a threat that paves a way to commission of
contemporary crimes and other emerging crimes and terrorism that uses the same
advantage from the internet access across the globe and other development and/or
innovation brought by globalization.

III. Comments
The topics presented were very timely and interesting especially that there are still
issues of leniency when it comes to implementation and enforcement of the law to
some of our high ranking officials in the country which can be sometimes
compared to the ideas presented by the instrumental theorist as the wealthy being
the ruling class of the society; as they could either make the penalty less in favor to
them if not totally dodge from it compared to that of the less privilege people in the
society.

IV. Evaluation
It was interesting to notice the similarity of Social class conflict and Capitalism
theory that claims the ruling class in a capitalist society is the responsible for the
creation of criminal law and their ideological basis in the interpretation and
enforcement of the laws.

V. Conclusion
The study of what causes or triggers people to commit a certain acts that deviates
the law remains a work in progress, as there are various things that could affect it.
Raging from the environment to circumstances and even the implementation of the
law which is ideally the formal method of social control and to maintain order in
the society. Its implementation and its enforcement were tarnished by the loss of
confidence by its people because it is seen to favor a certain class in the society.
Thus, could sometimes create even more unfavorable situations prompting the
increase in the crime rate. Globalization, similarly, has its disadvantages as the
evolution of transnational crime networks spread from one country to another and
rivaling the already weakened state governments for power and resources further
exploiting the poor majorities.

VI. Recommendation

In view of the emerging contemporary crimes, their widespread networks as well

as the state (organized) crime committed by those government officials. There
must be a strict and fair implementation and imposition of penalties that is not
prejudicial to social status, race or gender of persons.