Social Conflict Theory - Criminology - Lecture Slides, Slides of Criminology

Download Social Conflict Theory - Criminology - Lecture Slides and more Slides Criminology in PDF only on Docsity! i... : Social Conflict Theory: ted cage iminology and Restorative Justice » & , ® docsity.com Figure 8.1 The Branches of Social Conflict Theory docsity.com Marxist Thought • Surplus Value  Laboring class produce goods that exceed wages in value  Excess value goes into the hands of capitalists  Marx suggested workers would emerge into a socialist state and own the means of production docsity.com f Worker Uses profits Workers produces Capitalist to buy * ; : ke Economic goods that => Profit => keeps => machines => shina ; exceed profits and a ac crisis wages replace uy less in value workers © 2006 Wadsworth - Thomson 3 docsity.com Marxist Thought • Marx on Crime  Suggested a connection between crime and social inequality  Friedrich Engels suggested the brutality of the capitalist system turns workers into animal-like creatures  Crime is a function of social demoralization docsity.com Developing a Conflict Based Theory of Crime • The Contribution of George Vold  Adapted conflict theory to criminology  Laws are created by politically oriented groups  Laws will be created to hamper and curb the interests of some opposition group  Criminal acts are a consequence of forces struggling to control society (conflict) docsity.com Social Conflict Theory • Conflict theory tries to explain crime within economic & social contexts and to express connections between social class, crime, and social control  Relationship to crime began in the 1960s  William Chambliss and Robert Seidman suggests the justice system protects the rich and powerful  Richard Quinney argued that crime is a function of power relations and an inevitable result of social conflict.  Crime is defined by those in power  Power refers to the ability of persons and groups to determine and control the behavior of others and to shape public opinion to meet their personal interests docsity.com Social Conflict Theory • Social Conflict Based Research  Compare crime rates of various class groupings  Research suggests a relationship between economic conditions and homicides (Pratt/Lowenkamp)  Courts are more likely to dole out harsh punishment to powerless and disenfranchised groups  Unemployed racial minorities are considered “social dynamite” docsity.com Critical Criminology • Fundamentals of Critical Criminology  Crime is a function of the capitalist mode of production  The poor (proletariat) engage in street crimes, whereas the wealthy (bourgeoisie) are involved in acts not defined as crimes (racism, sexism, profiteering)  The rich are insulated from street crimes  The poor are controlled through incarceration, whereas the middle class is diverted from caring by the upper classes creating a public fear of the lower classes docsity.com Critical Criminology • Globalization  Criminals are products of society and economic systems  Critical criminologists are wary of globalization and capitalization trends  Criminologists question the altruism of multi-national corporations • The growing global dominance and reach of the free-market capitalist system disproportionately benefits the wealthy and powerful • The increasing vulnerability of indigenous people • The growing influence and impact of international financial institutions (World Bank) • The non-democratic operation of international financial institutions docsity.com Critical Criminology • Instrumental View  Views criminal law and the criminal justice system as instruments for controlling the poor as have-not members of society  Capitalism serves the interests of the powerful and rich, and enables them to impose their morality on society  Marxists consider it essential of demystify (unmask) law and justice docsity.com Critical Criminology • Crime, the Individual, and the State  Crime and its control are a function of capitalism, and the justice system is biased against the working class and favors upper- class interests  Critical analysis of the criminal justice system is designed to identify the hidden processes that control people’s lives  Subject to analysis is the how the power relationships help undermine any benefit the lower class receives from sentencing reforms docsity.com Critical Criminology • Historical Analysis  How the changes in law correspond to the development of the capitalist society  Another goal is to investigate the development of modern police agencies  Some research has focused on the relationship between convict work and capitalism docsity.com Critical Criminology • Critique of Critical Criminology  Some argue critical theory rehashes the old tradition of helping the underdog  Some suggest critical theory neglects the capitalist system to regulate itself (antitrust regulations)  Critical thinkers are accused of ignoring problems and conflicts in socialist countries docsity.com Contemporary Forms of Social Conflict Theory • Critical Feminist Theory  Critical feminists view gender inequality as stemming from the unequal power of men and women in a capitalist society  Patriarchal (male dominated) systems devalue the work of women  The exploitation of women produces far more surplus value for capitalists than it does for men docsity.com Contemporary Forms of Social Conflict Theory • Patriarchy and Crime  Critical feminists link criminal behavior patterns to gender conflict created by economic and social struggles  Double marginality explains why women commit less crime than men  Crime is the vehicle for men to “do gender” docsity.com Contemporary Forms of Social Conflict Theory • Exploitation and Criminality  Sexual victimization of females is a function of male socialization  Exploitation triggers the onset of female delinquency such as running away to avoid abuse  Some critics charge feminist scholars have ignored the interests of women of color and lesbians docsity.com Contemporary Forms of Social Conflict Theory • Evaluating Power Control Theory  Empirical analysis has been supportive of power control theory  Some critics question its core assumption  Replicated studies have not found that class and power interact to produce delinquency docsity.com Contemporary Forms of Social Conflict Theory • Postmodern Theory  Semiotics refers to the use of language elements as signs or symbols beyond literal meaning  Deconstructionists analyze communication and language in legal codes to determine whether they contribute to institutionalized racism or sexism  Postmodernists contend value-laden language can promote inequalities docsity.com Contemporary Forms of Social Conflict Theory • Peacemaking Criminology  Main purpose of criminology is to promote a peaceful society  Draws inspiration from religious and philosophical teachings  Punishment encourages criminality rather than deterring it (Larry Tifft and Dennis Sullivan)  Try to find humanist solutions (mediation and conflict resolution) to crime and other social problems docsity.com Public Policy Implications of Social Conflict Theory • The Process of Restoration  The process begins by redefining crime in terms of conflict among the offender, the victim, and affected constituencies  Shared community outrage is communicated to the offender docsity.com Public Policy Implications of Social Conflict Theory • Developing Restoration  The offender is asked to recognize and accept responsibility of their criminal actions  Commitment to material restitution and symbolic reparation (apology)  Determination of community support an assistance for both the victim and offender  The intended result is to repair injuries suffered by the victim and the community while reintegrating the offender docsity.com Public Policy Implications of Social Conflict Theory • Restoration Programs  Sentencing circles are a technique used to bring offenders, victims, and other community members together  Community: Implement dialogue to identify problems and develop tactics for elimination  Schools: Restoration for drug/alcohol abuse  Police: Community policing programs  Courts: Diversion programs docsity.com