Theft is a crime and it can be described as stealing or larceny. It intends to take someone else property with the intention of permanently depriving them of it. Theft happens because an individual is experiencing a lack of something. According to rational choice theory people aim to maximize their pleasure. When theft is looked at from the perspective of Marxism it is clear that society is at conflict. In integrating these theories, we can then get a better grasp on the rationale for this type of crime. Theft although very common can be rectified by addressing scarcity.
Theft is a result of a lack of something. There are two types of theft here in Canada, theft above or under $5000.00. Thieving could include such acts as shop lifting, forgery, car theft and the such. It is one of the most common crimes committed because it is considered low risk. People who steal operate on a risk to reward basis in which they minimize their risk and maximize their reward. People steal to be able to solve their own perceived scarcity. Scarcity means that resources are available but not enough to go around. Theft therefore is an opportunity one can take to gain something while at the same time denying another of that which they have coveted. Theft really is a reflection of a feeling of uncertainty that an individual is experiencing. This lack or absence therefore creates a feeling of scarcity. This could be a scarcity of wealth or even emotion. In an example of a lack of wealth the person directly steals to meet their quota or required need. However, when a person is jovial or even happy and they steal, they lack an emotion of self-control. These are just some examples, but the point is that the thief experiences a lack which he or she then perceives a scarcity. He or she must also value the experience of lack enough to cause the action of theft. This value is the worth that one gives the item that is to be coveted or stolen.
Rational choice theory specifies that people seek to maximize their pleasure. These people are motivated by their own goals and objectives. People also have preferences in which they attach worth. The more worth a person attaches to something, the higher the probability that he or she would thus experience a reward which then would result in pleasure. When looking at theft from this perspective, we can see that people maximize their pleasure in order to alleviate scarcity. That which a person steals always is worth something to that person which therefore aid to rectify their perceived scarcity providing them with pleasure. People will also calculate the cost of their decision to steal and as they expect utility from this crime. Therefore, as per the rational choice theory, people steal to be able to experience pleasure but this pleasure is felt by solving their perceived lack or scarcity which is the reward. For example, a kleptomaniac steals something because he or she perceives that the item he or she is stealing is worth enough to rectify their feeling of scarcity or lack thus, he or she will then experience pleasure. People also weigh I the pros and cons of theft. In their deliberation they expect the usefulness or utility of the crime and minimize their costs. Theft is a low risk crime but it is also one of the most common because of it.
Marxism is a conflict theory which identifies a specific social structure. Conflict theory says that society is a conflict with various groups that have opposing interests. According to the writings of Karl Marx, society is in conflict. There are two groups with adversarial interest who vie for state power. The state is the apparatus whereby society is structured. This is done through the rule of law. This allows people to obey and abide by the society. In Marxism, the two identified groups are the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. Society distributes the goods and services produced within it via its mode of production. In Marxism, this is publicly owned. In this system, the bourgeoisie exploit the proletariat through production. The latter sells their labour to the bourgeoisie. According to Marx, the proletariat eventually will rebel against the bourgeoisie and cause a revolution. Communism will then supersede capitalism in this way. The proletariat rebel because of their perceived inequalities. They can rebel via aggression or via peace. With relation to theft, it is evident that Marxism provides an adequate explanation of the societal conflict. Those who steal experience a lack, which as explained above, people maximize their pleasure in order to rectify this absence that they are experiencing. With pertinence to Marxism, the proletariat’s perceived inequality could cause them to resort to theft. This is because they, according to Marx, are being taken advantage of through production by the bourgeoisie. This is a possibility because the bourgeoisie earn the profits from production and that the proletariat always work for a wage that does not equal the value that they put in. From the perspective of the proletariat this is an injustice and could very well give them a reason to revolt causing a conflict to overthrow capitalism.
This comparative analysis of Marxism and rational choice theory provides the criminologist with justifiable reasons as to why this crime may occur. Marxism says that there is a societal conflict wherein people would and could experience perceived inequalities which would then promote an increased rate of theft and thus revolution overthrowing capitalism. This revolt is really explaining that people are experiencing a scarcity which then in order to solve it they resort to extremism to ascertain that pleasure. Rational choice theory on the other hand, explains that people steal in order to maximize their pleasure. Therefore, through conceptual integration we can see that there is an overlap within these theories. They seem to compliment one another providing us with a tautological explanation as to the crime of theft. Through Marxism the proletariat experiences dissatisfaction which is then relieved through the rational choice of rebellion which then provides them with the pleasure, in this case better salaries and or working conditions so they may then make purchases in the goods and services market.
Through propositional integration of both theories we can take aspects of each theory to make a single unified theory which then explains the crime of theft. Therefore, we can say that the proletariat whom are considered the working class are more likely to commit crime because they have less perceived wealth and are thus more likely to experience scarcity. These people then weigh the positives and negatives or costs when considering theft. They then expect utility which then once the crime is committed, they ascertain their reward. Through propositional integration we have created a hypothesis which could then be tested. This hypothesis is non tautological which mean its not circular which makes it a valid testable concept. Further it exhibits parsimony or consideration. And lastly its scope is limited to the one group within the society. The hypothesis to be tested is therefore as follows, Theft is more common within the working class because they have a higher probability of perceived scarcity.
Society in their attempt to reduce the crime of theft through deterrence must first address the concept of scarcity, one of the fundamental proponents of capitalism. This could be done through government programs, education, politics or even science. Society needs to be able to provide enough goods and services which are readily available to its citizens. These should be very accessible to each and every man, women and child. Through deterrence, laws can reflect this interest to protect those whom are in need rather than those who are wealthy. The people in need are the people who have the most potential for improvement. I feel that if society can focus this way, it can improve the quality of life of each citizen. The consideration of Marxism and rational choice theory herein provide a way in which criminologist can look at society. People are really just looking to fill the void of lack and in their attempt to fill this they weigh the costs and identify the utility in their actions so they can receive a reward thus, experiencing pleasure. Through this unified concept we can build a stronger foundation by which each and every one is represented equally.
Larceny is one of the most common crimes in our modern world. People steal because they experience the feeling of scarcity. Rational choice theory teaches criminologist that people seek pleasure I their rationalized actions. Marxism on the other hand, gives us a glimpse on the conflicts in our communities. The integrative theories allowed us to be able to thoroughly analyze the crime of stealing. This is important because if this crime of theft goes ununderstood, we stand to risk it all.
