Macro and Micro Sociological Explanations of Punishment

Durkheim

Mechanical Societies

• Little divison of labour
• Traditional society
• "Conscience collective"
• Law as penal and repressive
• Crime not against individual- but whole society
• So punishment is treated the same

Organic Societies

• Different segments
• Highly organised and mutually dependent
• Complex divison of labour
• Individualistic- due to different life experiences, beliefs, values, etc
• Law and punishment is also individualistic
• Law is less severe and focuses on restitution
• Growth of restorative law mirrors growth in organic solidarity

Punishment is used to uphold social solidarity and reinforce it

Marx

Economic base determines the law 

• Power and wealth of Bourgoesie used to reinforce their ideals into other areas of society, e.g law, education, etc
• Each form of punishment has its own economy, e.g fines cannot exist without a financial economy 

Ideological Class Struggles

• E.P Thompson- The law is the "arena" in which the struggles occur
• "Rules of Terror" by the ruling class over the poor
• Used by…