hs811 Crime/Conflict theory

Crime/Conflict theory

Marx - Social evolution via conflict

2 metatheories
1)Consenus (Shaw & McKay, etc)
-Shared set of values
-Conflict seen as unnatural, problematic

2)Conflict
-Conflict seen as natural due to power differences
-Consenus arrive due to ideology [Ideas that justify differences/ take focus from differences
Eg. Patriotism

Sub-structure and super-structure
Super-Structure
-Social relation of Law, Family, Politic, Relation

Social Relation
-Owner of means of production
-Non-owner

Sub-structure
-(food) production

Means of production
-land, labour, tools
-Newer replaces old

Stages of society
1. Primitive communism
no classes

2. Ancient society (eg Roman)
Slave owner/slave
Few owned the land, labour, tools

3. Feudal society
Lord/serf
Cannot get more/leave the land

4. Capitalist
Factory owner/Worker
Buy land, worker

5. Advanced communism
no classes

Changes involves conflict
-Life
-Idea
-Economy

Law not internal but social construct
Law not just moral[Interactionist]
but interests of econ, politic holder in unequal society

Eg. of historical change for economy
Chambliss colonial tax East Africa
Vagrancy law of feudal England
Carrier case [charged carrier for any mistake -> allows longer distance trading]

Developing Capitalism
Laws to protect consumer [but still benefit capitalist]
-make capitalist more restricted (ie safety)

Kolko
meat packing
-hygience law [increased cost of production -> puts off smaller capitalist]
railroad industry
-no monopoly to cut costs [ but fixed costs(never reduce) -> guarantee profit ]

Graham
-drug [but not as strict because of drug company]

Laws to protect worker [but still benefit capitalist]
Trade union, ... [keeps worker happy]

Separation of government and captalist, employee
-Govt acts as interests of all
-Actions of "moral" for poor/discriminated group
-- only successful if in relation to wider economy interest
Eg.
Need serf -> no change
With machinery, no need serf -> change

Crime from conflict perspective
1)Unequal punishment = interests of capitalist
Connection to white-collar crime
-Widespread
-Few punishment
-Only serves as ideology

2)Crime inevitable as capitalism needs of "reserve group of labour" -> not working -> commit crime

3)Employment for police officer

4)Ideological purpose for leaders (elections)

Local eg.
Casino