What is the function of law-making according to Marxist theory?

Study for the AQA Sociology Crime and Deviance Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with hints and explanations, to master the subject. Excel in your exam!

According to Marxist theory, the function of law-making is fundamentally to serve the interests of the ruling class. This perspective is rooted in the idea that society is structured around a power struggle between different social classes, primarily between the bourgeoisie (the ruling class) and the proletariat (the working class).

Marxists argue that laws are not neutral or designed for the collective good; rather, they are tools created and enforced by those in power to maintain their dominance and control over resources and societal structures. For instance, laws pertaining to property rights, labor practices, and crime often reflect the needs and interests of the bourgeoisie, which can perpetuate inequality and suppress the working class's rights and autonomy.

In this view, law-making is seen as a mechanism through which the ruling class imposes its values and priorities, thereby reinforcing existing power dynamics and class structures in society. This explains why Marxist theorists critique the legal system as serving to legitimize and uphold the status quo rather than promoting justice or social equity.

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