Conflict Theory University of Minnesota uluth冲突论明尼苏达大学德卢斯.pptVIP

Critical Theories Can’t we all just get along? Critical Theory: Social Context and Themes Social Context 1960s = Strain theory, war on poverty, etc. By the 1970s? Central Themes Emphasis on “inequality” and “power” Crime as “political” concept CJS serves interests of powerful Solution to crime is more equitable society Variations of Critical Theory Conflict Theory Marxist/Radical Theory Left Realism/Peacemaking Post-Modern Feminist Criminology Conflict versus Consensus As a view of society As an explanation of law As an explanation of criminal justice As an explanation of crime Pluralistic Conflict—Explanation of the Law and Criminal Justice George Vold Group Conflict Multiple groups in society with varying levels of power Specific “interest groups” General or broad-based groups Those who win conflict get control over the law and coercive power of the state Empirical Evidence The formulation of law Interest groups’ influence on law-making Research on consensus over laws The operation of the CJS Research on “extra-legal” variables RACE, CLASS, GENDER Conflict: An Explanationof Street Crime Thorston Sellin (1938) Cultural conflict theory Gist: violate laws of the majority simply by following the norms of one’s own reference group George Vold (1958) Group conflict theory (crime that results from conflict) Karl Marx Communist Manifesto Means of production determine the structure of society Capitalism: Owners of the means of production (capitalists) Workers = proletariat, lumpen proletariat Capitalism will Self-Destruct The laboring class produces goods that exceed the value of their wages (profit) The owners invest the profit to reduce the workforce (technology) The workers will no longer be able to afford the goods produced by the owners Marxist Criminology Instrumental Marxist Position Hard line position Crime and the creation and enforcement of law the direct result of capitalism Structural Marxist Position Softer Position Governments are somewhat