Chapters 2 and 3 Do Video Games / The Media Cause Violence? Social Conflict Theory: Does Socioeconomic Status Cause Crime?
Figure 8.1 The Branches of Social Conflict Theory
Marxist Thought Productive Forces and Productive Relations Communist Manifesto focused attention on economic conditions of a capitalist system Productive relations: Exist among people producing goods and services Bourgeoisie (capitalists) Proletariat (working labor) Lumpen proletariat (poor) Class denotes a position in relation to others
Figure 8.2 The The Marxist View of Class
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
Figure 8.3 Surplus Value
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
Developing a Conflict Based Theory of Crime The Contribution of Willem Bonger Society is divided into have and have-nots Crimes are considered antisocial because they are threatening to those who have power Bonger suggested the capitalist system is held together by force rather than consensus Upper class will commit if: They sense an opportunity of make financial gain Their lack of moral sense enables them to violate social rules Crime and poverty are associated with unequal distribution of wealth
Developing a Conflict Based Theory of Crime The Contribution of Ralf Dahrendorf Society is organized into imperatively coordinated associations: Those who possess authority for social domination and those who lack authority and are dominated Every society is subject to change Every society displays social conflict Every element in society renders a contribution to its disintegration and change Every society is based on coercion by some of its members
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)
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
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
Contemporary Forms of Social Conflict Theory Left Realism Work of John Lea and Jock Young suggests the poor are doubly abused by capitalists and by members of their own class Relative Deprivation equals discontent; discontent plus lack of political solution equals crime Ian Taylor contends the world is currently in the midst of multiple crisis (job creation, social inequality, social fear, political incompetence and failure, gender conflict, and family and parenting issues)