Marxist perspectives view crime and deviance as products of social inequalities and class conflicts within capitalist societies, rather than individual moral failings. Crime stems from the exploitation of the working class by the ruling bourgeoisie and results from material conditions of poverty and lack of opportunity. Additionally, the ruling class defines what is criminal mainly to control and contain resistance by the working class to their subjugation and protect ruling class interests. Therefore, crime will persist as long as inequality and class divisions exist within capitalist systems.