The Marxist conflict perspective on crime is quite similar to DurkheimÆs theory of deviance. Crime is established as a deviant behavior by the powerful groups in society who make laws and establish norms that are reinforced through social institutions (the infrastructure). When those groups who are powerless in society by comparison feel they cannot obtain the goals and rewards of the powerful groups, they resort to deviant behavior like crime. In MarxÆs conflict perspective, the conflict is between two groups whose opposing views are derived from the inherent contradictions in a capitalistic society. In the one group are the wealthy and political powerful owners of the means of production (bourgeoisie). In the other group are the wage laborers (proletariat) who must sell their labor to the owners of the means of production to earn income. The conflict stems from the different goals of the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. The bourgeoisie wants to maximize profit while the proletariat wants higher wages. The wealthy classes own and control industry and are able to manipulate the infrastructure and superstructure for their benefit. Marx argued that the conflict can only be overcome by violent overthrow of the bourgeoisie once the proletariat becomes aware of the contradictions of capitalism. It is this conflict that Marx felt pushes many members of the proletariat to commit crime once they become aware of the exploitation of the wealthy class and their own powerlessness in comparison. As Marx maintained; ôAlienated labor deprives man of his species-life; other human beings become alien to him, communal existence is impossible, and life is merely a system of conflicting egosö (Kolakowski 1978, 139).
With respect to crime, the wealthy classes typically must exploit the working classes. Since those who own and control industry often make or greatly influence the making of laws, such laws are often aimed at deeds committe...