Conflict Theory Conflict Criminology, And Sociology

Conflict Criminology and Sociology Karl Marx (1818-1883) was a German philosopher and revolutionary socialist. His works, such as the Communist Manifesto, laid the foundation for what is known as conflict theory. According to this theory, it is viewed that criminal behavior is the result of interpersonal and human conflict (Siegel, 2015). In the book, Using Conflict Theory, the authors, Otomar Wehr (2002), describe conflict as â€Å"any behavior that helps the party to achieve its goal that is incompatible with that of the opponent or that expresses its hostility toward him or her† (Otomar Wehr, 2002). In the 1960s, criminologists began to study the social conditions of the U.S. which promoted class conflict and crime. This paper will†¦show more content†¦He also believed that crime was prosperous not only among the lower-class, but also the middle and upper class as well, and those belonging to the middle and upper-class often receive less severe punishments. For example, white-collar criminals who commit crimes, which cost society huge sums of money, will receive a lenient punishment, whereas, lower-class criminals who commit crimes out of economic necessity, and only cost society small sums of money, will receive a strict punishment. This especially happens if the lower-class offender lacks social and economic power (Siegel, 2015). â€Å"Crime is a political concept designed to protect the power and position of the upper classes at the expense of the poor† (Siegel, 2015), because anyone with political power controls the definition of crime and how our criminal justice system enforces the law. Therefore, criminal law, behaviors, and disciplinary responses to crime are shaped, in part, by the inequality of society. Two other sociological schools of crime causation are left realism and critical feminism. According to British scholars, John Lea and Jock Young, critical theory, also known as left realism, believe that â€Å"relative deprivation equals discontent, discontent plus lack of political solution equals crime† (Siegel, 2015). Left realists see crime as a result of economic equality,Show MoreRelatedThe Marxist Approach On Understanding And Explaining Crime744 Words   |  3 Pagesexplaining crime’ Why did you choose this topic? I was first originally pressed to this topic not only because am I completing a bachelor of social science to major in criminology but I am also completing a major in sociology. So far in sociology we have learnt about Karl Marx and his contributions to sociology including the theories of dialectical materialism and alienation. Alongside Emilie Durkheim and Max Weber, Marx is perceived as one of the three creators of the social sciences. When exploringRead MoreThe Development of the Chicago Schools1684 Words   |  7 Pageshave shaped our understanding of crime in the 21st century. Firstly by introducing the Chicago School theory, also known as the, Theory of Social Disorganisation and the Ecological School Theory. The University of Chicago formed a department of Sociology in 1892 its focus related to issues in Criminology and Sociology, with interests in and towards Social Psychology along with Urban Sociology. The main focus of the Chicago school was that human behaviour was both formed and shaped by the environmentRead MoreCrime and Punishment Essay1717 Words   |  7 Pagesand criminological terms could define the word crime for the varying content in which an act is categorised. Due to the broad spectrum surrounding crime, differing understandings about human subjects and premises lead to the development of several theories, assumptions and forms of criminal law. Michael and Adler (1933:2) are often cited as an example of the legal description of crime: â€Å"the most precise and least ambiguous definition of crime is that which defines it as behaviour which is often prohibitedRead MoreConflict and Labeling Theory Essay1337 Words   |  6 PagesConflict and Labeling Theory Labeling theory is concerned less with that causes the onset of an initial delinquent act and more with the effect that official handling by police, courts, and correctional agencies has on the future of youths who fall into the court system. Labeling theory states that youths violate the law for a number of reasons; these reasons are poor family relationships, neighborhood conflict, peer pressure, psychological and biological abnormality and delinquent learning experiencesRead MoreFuture of Criminology1590 Words   |  7 PagesThe future of Criminology etc. Criminology is, as John Lea (1998) points out, not so much a discipline as a field, its distinctiveness is not its knowledge base but the form of its focus: theories of crime, criminal law and the relation between the two - in this it is a sub-category of the sociology of deviance. It can, and never should be, conceived of as a separate discipline, its categories and processes are social constructs, they have no separate ontological reality. It cannot, thereforeRead MoreThe General Strain Theory Of Criminology Essay1521 Words   |  7 PagesStrain Theory of criminology, it is important to, first of all, understand the meaning of the term criminology. Criminology, as defined by the two social theorists, Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham of Italy and England respectively in their classical school of criminology, is the scientific study of crime, its causes, law enforcement as well as prevention measures taken to curb and control the crime in this case. Despite the fact that criminolo gy has lots of fields including sociology, economicsRead More4.Sociology Is The Study Of Society Using Empirical Investigation,1072 Words   |  5 Pages4. Sociology is the study of society using empirical investigation, data analysis, and assessment of theory to explore social life. It is also the study of societies influence on a person and the world around them. Sociology is one of the social sciences – disciplines that examine the human or social world. In summary, sociology is the study of human groups and societies, giving emphasis to analysis of the cultures and subcultures of the industrialized world. There are many social factors to sociologyRead MoreEssay on Control theory, Anomie theory and Strain theory 1444 Words   |  6 Pages Control theory, Anomie theory and Strain theory provide very different explanations of why people commit crimes based upon assumptions about how humans function. Control theory suggests that humans are naturally drawn to breaking the law. Humans are driven to fulfill their needs and desires. Crime provides one method by which humans can reach their goals. Control theorists would thus ask why everyone does not turn to crime to meet their wants and needs. The question shifts from the typical why doRead MoreA Critical Comparison Of Marxist Theory And Merton’S Strain1530 Words   |  7 Pages  A Critical Comparison of Marxist Theory and Merton’s Strain Theory of Deviance. Introduction: This particular work will consist of a critical theoretical review and a comparative analysis on two criminological theories. For the comparison I have chosen Marx’s theory of crime and Merton’s strain theory of deviance. My critical comparison analysis will emphasise the central concepts and arguments within both theories and how each theory explains crime. The analysis will then explore modern dayRead MoreTheory Of Peacemaking Criminology1732 Words   |  7 Pageswithin the criminology discipline in the late 20th century. As this segment progress, the readers will become acquainted with the historical background of peacemaking, proponents of the theory, and explanations as to what is peacemaking, expanding on restorative justice, a form of peacemaking criminology and finally conclude this section with critiques and discussion on peacemaking criminology as discussed during the class presentation. Peacemaking criminology grew out of the conflict and radical