In this essay proposal, I will talk about two theories (the theory of Marxism and Merton's distortion theory) which help explain the crime of theft. Both theories explain how crime is socially induced instead of being personal and individualized, therefore criminal behavior is a social phenomenon (White, Haines & Asquith, 2017). I argue that both of these theories explain flight, but there are limitations to each theory which I will also discuss by comparing and contrasting them throughout this proposition. Crime: Theft Theft is the taking of another's property or property without that person's consent. A person who does this is known as a thief (Kaplan, Binder, & Weisberg, 2012). Prevalence As of September 2017, the total number of recorded thefts (excluding vehicle thefts) across New Zealand was 5,948. This number has increased over time; the total number of thefts recorded in December 2017 was 6,491 and in January 2018 was 7,289. Bay of Plenty recorded one of the largest thefts recorded (POLICE DEPARTMENT). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on 'Why violent video games should not be banned'?Get the original essayTheft is now becoming a growing problem in New Zealand. Manifestations Manifestation is the implication or effect of an action or event (Davies and Pearson, 1999). The manifestation of theft according to Merton's constraint theory would constitute an economic gain for that individual (White, Haines & Asquith, 2017). Flying becomes a way to survive, as discussed in the Genesis section below. The manifestation of theft according to Marxist theory would also be economic gain but as a form of subsistence for non-elites and to maximize profit for elites (White, Haines & Asquith, 2017). Genesis We do not believe that the social strata of liberal countries like New Zealand are defined by class (France & Roberts, 2017). In New Zealand, social order is defined through “social and economic status” (p. 12). The gap between the richest and poorest New Zealanders has widened over the years, causing social inequality (Rashbrook, 2013). France and Roberts (2017) assert that social class also occupies a “central place in analyzes of structural constraints on young people’s lives”. origins and destinations” (p. 69). The poorest are therefore stuck in their state and cannot escape; all of these factors lead to criminal and delinquent behavior (as a survival strategy). Therefore, the genesis of Merton's theory of constraint and the theory of Marxism would be the inequality of social and economic status. Merton's theory of constraints according to the theory of constraints written in the text Crime and Criminology by White, Haines & Asquith (2017); crime is the result of a social disjunction that reflects “social tension within a society” (p. 77). Merton argued that crime can be described in relation to two variables: the culturally defined goals of a society and the institutionalized means of achieving those goals (Merton, 1938). According to Merton (1983), people have the same socially motivated cultural goal – the American dream of wealth, status, and success – but have different opportunities to achieve these goals. Therefore, people can respond to tension in five different ways: conformity, innovation, ritualism, withdrawal, and rebellion (Merton, 1938). So, to achieve wealth and success, people tend to engage in delinquent behavior.With this in mind, I believe that thieves are innovative and can be understood through this theory. A study by the New Zealand Parliament in 2011 showed an overall increase in income inequality measured by Gini coefficients in 1985 (0.27) and 2008 (0.33). He also cites an increase in youth poverty rates, particularly among Māori and Pacific children. The Office of the Children's Commissioner found that poverty had a negative impact on children's lives, education, self-confidence, social groups as well as psychological and physical effects (Bellamy, 2011). Due to social inequality in New Zealand, people lack the means to achieve their goals and theft becomes a survival strategy. According to the article written by Agnew (2012), the frustration caused by a lack of means leads individuals to “try to obtain money through acts such as theft” (p. 33). Criticisms The theory is best applies to people of the lower classes - Doesn I'm not talking about people (the rich) who have the resources and therefore the means to achieve their goals but who are still prone to theft. This theory also doesn't explain why crimes are more prevalent in a specific age group (like late adolescents who steal). more than older people) The theory focuses primarily on individual responses to strain, not group criminality. Does not talk about the intra- and interpersonal aspects of crime which can be better explained, for example by labeling theory. Marxist theory is based on the study of the division of power in society that causes social and economic inequality. Elites (who have institutionalized means) hold the “decisive power in a society” (p. 116) to determine what is criminal and what is not, while non-elites (working class) do not. do not have this decisive power (p. 116). White, Haines and Asquith, 2017). Similar to Merton's theory of compulsion, the working class (the least powerful people) are demoralized in capitalist society and tend to engage in criminal behavior such as theft as a means of livelihood. Stanley's (2016) article talks about the existing social inequalities in New Zealand and how the marginalized population is linked to crimes such as theft. However, unlike Merton Strain theory, the Marxist approach also explains why the powerful (elites) also steal (e.g. fraud), even if they have the wealth and means to do so. This is due to the need to accumulate and “maximize profit” (117) in order to be able to maintain their upper class status and economic dominance (White, Haines, and Asquith, 2017). An example in New Zealand would be when Lynette Watson embezzled over $114,000 from her own non-profit Maori trust (Chisholm, 2017). Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom EssayReviewsNot everyone who lives in poverty commits an act of theft; identical to Merton's theory - Does not talk about the intra- and interpersonal aspects of crime. The theory is too broad and generalized (Williams, 2012). Romanticizes the image of the thief as a “primitive class rebel” (129), underestimating the harm caused to victims (White, Haines & Asquith, 2017). The article by Stanley (2016) that I used as evidence to say that existing social inequalities can lead to theft might be biased, as it is written by a director of criminology aimed at students at Victoria University. It should be noted that the focus on powerful people stealing is.