ipl-logo

Marxism And Homelessness Essay

792 Words4 Pages

This study will be improved by using a Marxist theoretical framework. In particular, between the "Methods" and "Homelessness and Criminalization". Marx's primary goal in formulating his theory of the dynamics of economic production was to bring about a classless society on a global scale. In this essay, Karl Marx's theory on the relationships between economic production and consumption, how to use it to analyze the criminal justice system, and how it might help us understand why homelessness is criminalized will be expanded on to develop a better understanding.
According to Marxism, the conflict between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat determines economic relations in a capitalist system and will eventually result in a type of communist …show more content…

It is possible to infer that the financial situation some people are in leads to their homelessness and subsequent criminalization. Some people may become homeless as a result of the economy failing them, which makes them a target for the police who will ticket them and issue them with additional bills and penalties they are unable to pay.
It is possible to examine the criminal justice system from a Marxist perspective. The criminal justice system is based on the same concept as Marx's economic theory, which is about social connections between the powerful and the powerless. As stated in an article,
“Capitalist development in the last half-century has once again separated vulnerable populations from their former means of subsistence, pushing them from their traditional communities and subjecting them to new forms of control”
(Stuart 2011:200). Due to the increased social controls that these people are subjected to as a result of living in a capitalist society, this may be utilized to analyze criminal justice. A method of social control, such as control by the government, results in new regulations against camping, begging, and sleeping on the sidewalks, which have an impact on the homeless and …show more content…

Another way to think about this is as a way to enforce class discipline. There are several ways to connect Marxist philosophy to crime in general.
Due to the fact that crime develops out of a capitalist context, a Marxist theory may be utilized to examine the criminal justice system and methods of punishment. Capitalist environments can lead to crime because when people are unable to pay for basic necessities, they may start to steal or commit crimes to meet their wants. While the underclass struggles for social, political, and economic equality, there is competition for resources. As stated in the article, “Anti-homeless laws and enforcement cause the constant circulation of visible poverty as homeless people are displaced from one or neighborhood to another” (Henning, Yarbrough, Malaterre
2020:144). These anti-homeless policies not only do more harm than good but also further displace the homeless population, Marx's theory would naturally drift toward this. The concept of the employee and the worker may also be drawn closer to create a better understanding of a Marxist theory. The homeless

Show More
Related

What Are Ron Weasley Arguments Against Criminalizing Homeless

1566 Words | 7 Pages

According to Aykanian and Lee (2016) individuals who are homeless are often “common targets of policing when their behavior, especially behavior performed in public spaces, is viewed as offensive and deviant” (p. 184). A related point to consider is that some who experience homelessness do engage in criminal activities, but one shall not combine all members in a generalization. Hence, the image of having individuals who are homeless is not ideal for the people in communities, but it does not take into account people who are experiencing

Read More

Barbara Ehrenreich's Is It Now A Crime Being Poor

1027 Words | 5 Pages

Criminal Homeless Imagine yourself without a job and receiving a final note from your bank stating that you only have a week to dislodge. In consequence, you become homeless as a bug of society and if you sleep in any bench or under a bridge, you will end up in jail. Many people have been suffering such cruel reality due to their poverty. Barbara Ehrenreich, a political activist and author in her essay “Is it Now a Crime Being Poor?” discusses the problems of the US correctional system about the treat of homeless people. She explains how they are sent to jails for minor crimes.

Read More

Summary Of When Public Doesn T Mean Public

922 Words | 4 Pages

The homeless are faced with a continuing need to satisfy a set of basic needs that are shared not only amongst themselves, but with the domiciled public as well. These require including income, food, shelter, and elimination. Homeless street people, although, must satisfy these needs in the absence of both the privacy and conventional supports available to the domiciled public. As a result, institutional and political responses that affect on the means to satisfy the needs create considerable barriers that the homeless must conquer, creating their survival strategies and, thus, their public

Read More

Annotated Bibliography On Homelessness

957 Words | 4 Pages

They give minor demographic information and provide a background on the homeless, and then discuss their claims on the reasons behind the issue. The author’s main argument was the issue with the housing market, stating that the wealth gap and lack of affordable housing was causing the homeless to remain without housing, while most of the new housing continues to be built for the rich. Other arguments he had were the issues revolving around mental health, drugs, and family issues. This report synthesizes off several different sources, including government censuses, economic reports, demographic data, and other related

Read More

Homeless In America Research Paper

1073 Words | 5 Pages

“1 out of every 100 persons in Europe- or approximately 3 million people [are] homeless,” (Blair 21) states Cornelia Blair, the author of Homeless in America. Not only is this number extremely high, it only accounts to one country; Imagine the number across all 136 countries scattered across the Earth. And the homeless population is constantly on the rise, creating a fear for many who live dangerously close to losing everything. Homelessness is a predicament that affects all people, old and young, and can last from as little as a few days to as long as the rest of their lives. It is a serious problem caused by low income, domestic violence and abuse, and lack of Veteran care, but can be amended by child sponsorships, help from the government,

Read More

Marxism And Homelessness

178 Words | 1 Pages

Homelessness is a product of social inequalities. Karl Marx stated that the capitalist society produces two prominent classes which are in conflict with each other, bourgeoisie and proletariats. The bourgeoisie are the oppressors who own the means of production and the proletariats are the oppressed workers who labor for the bourgeoisie. Capitalism is distinguished not by privilege but instead by individuality of property ownership and that those who create the conditions of the oppressed group express this power in the form of laws that function to serve the bourgeoisie’s interests (Marx, 2004, p.129).

Read More

Homelessness In America Essay

741 Words | 3 Pages

Homelessness in America has become a big issue and if we don’t do something about it soon it can get worst. Homelessness can cause health issues, personal problems, and even death. Homelessness covers a range of topic such as substance abuse, mental illness, and domestic violence (Dworsky, 2009). In a study it said that the homeless population has one of the highest rates of adults in the jail inmates (Greenberg & Rosenheck 2008). In this paper I will be discussing the Cause and effect of homelessness as it relates to the Criminal Justice system.

Read More

Homelessness In America Essay

1221 Words | 5 Pages

Homelessness has been an ongoing issue since its emergence in the 1870’s since then it has continued to rise over time. The homelessness Crisis is one of the biggest problems the United States faces today. As of today, there are approximately more than 500,000 people experiencing homelessness. This is a major issue as nearly half a million people without a home have to sleep on the streets, have nothing to eat, no medical care, and many more things that homeless individuals do not have the luxury of having for various reasons. The most common reasons are the cost of living is constantly rising, unemployment, low income, mental illnesses, and substance abuse.

Read More

Mental Illness And Homelessness Essay

1225 Words | 5 Pages

It is indiscriminate and has no concern for one’s status, race, ethnicity, background, religion, and so on. Therefore the fear of homelessness is the fact that it can happen at any time.. As a result of the United States economic situation, there is a lack of jobs and livable wages provided for growing communities. The insufficient provision of financial aid is among the factors that cause homelessness. Unable to be financially independent, the homeless tend to meet their financial needs through illegal avenues. These avenues involve the interaction with drugs and

Read More

Essay On Homelessness In America

1256 Words | 6 Pages

The issue of homelessness in America has been evident since the early 1600’s. Across the country men, women and children spend their nights on the streets not knowing when or if they will ever find a permanent home. States and federal officials or city councils have tried to alleviate or at least reduce the number of homeless over the last several decades at a city, state or national level but it continues to be an ongoing problem. There is a multitude of factors that account for the growing homeless population that affects each state in the country differently. Though there are many contributing factors that contribute to the amount of people living on the street at any given night in the U.S.

Read More

Essay On Homelessness

597 Words | 3 Pages

During the recent years homelessness has increased eminently. Although homelessness is not a new phenomenon it has become a huge social issue in today’s society. In urban areas homelessness is visible by the masses but ignored by society’s negative perception. Characterized as unstable individuals, alcoholics and criminals by society, these negative stereotypes have only escalate the issue. Homeless can occur at any stage of life for multitude of factors.

Read More

What Is Karl Marx Theory Of Exploitation

1074 Words | 5 Pages

According to Edwards et al. (2006) Marx thought that within capitalism there would be an increased divide between the bourgeoisie class and the proletariat class in the future. The proletariats are lower of the two classes, the people who have to work for wages in order to survive. The bourgeoisie are the people in society who controlled and owned the means of production in a capitalist system.

Read More

Compare And Contrast Marxism And Feminism

1143 Words | 5 Pages

Holland Arrowsmith explains Marxism as a term which refers to “a hugely diverse set of social, economic, philosophical, historical and cultural theories”. Several theories such as social, economical, political and critical theories have been derived from Marxism philosophy. Marxism advocates equality amongst the class structure of society. Marxism is divided into two fundamental classes. According to Marx there are only two classes which exist: Bourgeoisie, which means powerful or dominant class and Proletariat, which means the peasant or working classes.

Read More

Rhetorical Devices Used In I Have A Dream Speech

1370 Words | 6 Pages

This theory is based on the principles that the value of man is based on the forced job or potential job; economy as a factor that determines the action of society; the struggle of social classes are the construct of its history; it is also taken into consideration the proletariat and the bourgeois, among others. Marxism is the sign of the struggle for a balance between the oppressed and the upper class to create a better world for

Read More

Crime As A Social Problem Essay

1877 Words | 8 Pages

As far as crime is concerned, it is defined by the law. Deviance is unexpected behaviour, but not exactly considered criminal. Many consider crime as a social problem – a problem as defined by society, such as homelessness, drug abuse, etc. Others would say crime is a sociological problem – something defined as a problem by sociologists and should be dealt with accordingly by sociologists. This essay attempts to discover the boundaries between these two and ultimately come to an appropriate conclusion.

Read More

More about Marxism And Homelessness Essay

Related Topics

Open Document