Timmer's Definition of Law
Timmer’s Definition of Crime “A definition of crime represents the legal conditions under which the state, as an instrument of an economically dominant class, exercises its power to punish.” I feel that the state maintains the capitalist order through laws. Primarily, control is done through the governing of consciousness of the population. The ruling class gives rise to their own ideology to protect themselves. Capitalism’s most subtle means of control is to try and manipulate the minds of the people. They try to dictate the future through the people’s thinking and overall living. This type of dictatorship is cultural, psychological, economic and political. When an existing order becomes threatened, the focus on crime rises. The ruling class diverts attention and gains validation for utilization of criminal sanctions to regain stability. The public, must feel that their interests are being protected, not only the ruling class alone. In doing this the state works to serve the interests of the capitalist ruling class. From the beginning of time, the elite forced their powers on the people that they believed to be evil. This is type of criminal behavior was of diabolical possession. People were believed to be of or controlled by a spiritual nature (State and Capital. n.d.). During this time, people’s mentality for an explanation of crime was to find a solution to rid crime, so they would exorcise the demons which were responsible for the behavior either by exile or by execution. The Gods took highest priority and to appease them, people would go to great lengths, no matter the cost to stop crime. In primitive societies, a sin and a crime were considered as the same thing. Treason, witchcraft and endogamy were considered as violating the norms so these types of crimes would receive the harshest punishments. It depended on whether a person’s offenses were of a private or public matter. If it was private then their own clan would deal with them
References: Crutchfield, R. D., Kubrin, C. E., Bridges, G. S., & Weis, J. G. (2008). What is Criminology? The History and Definitions of Crime and Criminology. Join Academia.edu & Share your research with the world. (n.d.). - Örmeci, Ozan (2011), "Crime and Criminology", Caspian Weekly. Retrieved January 9, 2014, from http://www.academia.edu/724091/_Ormeci_ State and Capital. (n.d.). libcom.org. Retrieved January 9, 2014, from http://libcom.org/blog/state-capital-07012014