In this proposed essay, I will talk about two theories (Marxism theory and Merton's effort theory) that help explain the crime of theft . Both theories talk about how crime is socially induced rather than being personal and individualized, therefore criminal behavior is a social phenomenon (White, Haines & Asquith, 2017). I argue that both of these theories explain theft, however there are limitations to each theory which I will discuss as well as compare and contrast them in this proposal. Crime: Theft Theft is the act of taking another person's personal effects or property without their consent. A person who does this is known as a thief (Kaplan, Binder, & Weisberg, 2012). Prevalence In September 2017, the total number of recorded thefts (excluding car 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 it was 7,289. Bay of Plenty had one of the largest recorded thefts (POLICE DEPARTMENT). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Theft is becoming an increasingly important problem in New Zealand. Manifestations Manifestation is the implication or effect of an action or event (Davies & Pearson, 1999). The manifestation of theft according to Merton's Strain Theory would represent an economic gain for that individual (White, Haines & Asquith, 2017). Stealing becomes a way to survive, as discussed in the Genesis section below. The manifestation of theft according to Marxist theory would also represent 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 think that social strata in liberal countries like New Zealand are defined through class (France & Roberts, 2017). In New Zealand, social order is defined through “social and economic status” (p. 12). The gap between New Zealand's richest and poorest has increased over the years, causing social inequalities (Rashbrook, 2013). France and Roberts (2017) state that social class also occupies a fundamental place in analyzes of the structural constraints on young people's lives. origins and destinations" (p. 69). The poorest people are therefore stuck in their state and cannot get out; all these factors drive criminal and delinquent behavior (as a survival strategy). Therefore, the genesis of Merton's effort theory and the theory of Marxism would be inequality in social and economic status. Merton's tension theory according to the tension theory written in the text Crime and Criminology by White, Haines & Asquith (2017); crime is the result of a social disjunction that shows a “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 through which these goals can be achieved (Merton, 1938). According to Merton (1983) people have the same socially driven cultural goal – the American dream of wealth, status and success, but they have different opportunities to achieve those 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 lean towards delinquent behavior. With this in mind, I believe that people who steal areinnovative and can be understood using this theory. A study conducted by the New Zealand Parliament in 2011 showed an overall increase in income inequality as measured by Gini coefficients in 1985 (0.27) and 2008 (0.33). There was also talk of an increase in the poverty rate of young people, particularly Māori and Pacific children. The Office of the Children's Commissioner has found that poverty has a negative impact on children's lives, education, trust, social groups, as well as having psychological and physical effects (Bellamy, 2011). Due to social inequality in New Zealand, people lack the means to achieve goals and theft becomes a survival strategy. According to the article written by Agnew (2012), frustration caused by lack of means leads individuals to "try to obtain money through acts such as theft" (p. 33). not to mention the people (rich people) who have the resources and therefore the means to achieve goals but are still prone to theft. This theory also does not explain why crimes are more prevalent in a specific age group (such as theft by late adolescents). more than older adults) The theory focuses primarily on individual responses to strain, not group criminality. It does not talk about the intra- and interpersonal aspects of crime that can be better explained, for example, by labeling theory. Marxist theory is based on the study of the division of power in society which causes social and economic inequalities. 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 have that decisive power (White, Haines & Asquith, 2017). Similar to Merton's effort theory, the working class (less powerful people) are demoralized in capitalist society and tend to lean towards criminal behavior such as theft as a means of subsistence. Stanley's (2016) article talks about the social inequalities that exist in New Zealand and how the marginalized population is linked to crimes such as theft. However, unlike Merton's effort theory, the Marxist approach also explains why the powerful (elites) steal (e.g. fraud) even if they have the wealth and means. This is due to the need to accumulate and “maximize profit” (117) so that they can maintain their high-class status and economic dominance (White, Haines & Asquith, 2017). An example in New Zealand would be when Lynette Watson embezzled more than $114,000 from her non-profit Māori fund (Chisholm, 2017). Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom EssayCriticismsNot everyone who is poor commits the act of theft; like Merton's theory - Does not talk about the intra- and interpersonal aspects of crime. The theory is too broad and generalized (Williams, 2012). It romanticizes the image of the thief as a “primitive class rebel” (129), underestimating the harm caused to the victims (White, Haines & Asquith, 2017). The article by Stanley (2016) that I used as evidence to argue that existing social inequalities can lead to theft may be biased, as it is written by a director of student-oriented criminology at Victoria University. One point to note is that the focus on powerful people who steal is more business-related and on a much larger scale (e.g., they are less likely to shoplift and commit minor thefts like this) than non-powerful people. Therefore, this theory does not explain why some powerful people would steal the same things as non-powerful people. The theory.