Conflict Theory-The Relationship between Sociology and Criminology
Theorists, on, social conflict propose that crime, in general, is triggered by conflict in the class system, as well as, laws that have been shaped by individuals and groups in power to safeguard their interests and rights. All acts of crime have political nuances, and Quinney refers to this as crime's social reality. Research attempts to confirm the conflict method; on the contrary, have not generated significant results (Seigel, 2000). Moreover, sociologists ponder over the social patterns that exist among social classes and the complications that arise from conflict between such social classes. They try to establish the relationship between deviant behavior and social class. These are some of the considerations and ponderings of sociologists when examining the Social conflict theory. The theory explores issues to do with inequality on societal settings. The theory states that the laws and norms adopted by society only reflect the interest of the more influential and powerful society members.
The following situation comes to mind when reflecting over the theory: a chief executive of a corporate company commits the same crime as a junior worker (Social Conflict Theory and Crime: Definitions and Approach to Deviance - Video & Lesson Transcript - Study.com). If, hypothetically, we say that they were caught in a drug peddling offence, it is apparent that the person to receive more severe punishment is the junior worker. There is a good chance that the CEO will get off in a hush because he has the resources. They might even get off the hook in ''mystery''. On the other hand, the junior worker is likely to experience the full wrath of the law. His act of criminal deviance is also likely to receive a lot of publicity. Since social conflict theory is focused on inequality issues, a significant element in this narrative is that the punishment meted out in this case is disproportionate, despite the similarity of the crime committed. In a similar scenario, figure out a situation in which such a factory worker is involved in a vandalism incident on a local business. On the other hand, the CEO is involved in a fraudulent act in an attempt to protect his wealth and avoid parting with a portion of it. The factory junior worker is regarded to have committed a typical blue collar crime. If they are caught, they would be arrested and fined. They might even spend months in prison. The CEO, on the other hand, is regarded to have committed a white collar crime. His punishment is likely to be much less severe in the unlikely event that anyone will call him to account. According to a government report in 2009, it was found that those who were found to be culpable in fraud only ended up paying 10% of the assets they owed because they succeeded to hide most of them.
How Politics Interplay in The Conflict Theory.
Intra state armed conflict is said to have increased since the onset of WWII. It increased further when the cold war ended even as many expected a peace bonus.
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The localized wars were initiated by armed groups that are organized by people who held grievances against their own governments or against other organized armed groups within the same states with guerilla war tactics. They employed such methods as taking hostages, bombings and vanquishing populations from their settlements. In these scenarios, the common laws of war as emphasized in international war are blurred and ignored. Displaced persons and casualties are alarmingly many. Usually, the combatants demand compliance of expulsion from territory. They are rarely interested in the territory itself. Such conflict manifests a broad and deep level of violence. They are also varied in nature. Private monitoring organizations and those affiliated with government strategies such as the International Crisis Group. They monitor and update on such conflicts regularly (Leicht and Jenkins, 2010).
There are several compilations and cross examinations on civil wars that occurred in the recent past. There have also been several detailed monographs, testing ethnic conflict theories on specific countries. Owing to the fact that states are the protagonists in world wars, when loyalties of sub state entities and armed groupings undermine the legitimate rule of the governments and cause instability with insurgencies that spill to the neighboring stronger countries, the international conflict control and management within the state is highly vulnerable. New conflicts gain by incorporating the micro-level mobilizing and confronting dynamics of movements of social nature. Such social movements in turn benefit its single dimensional view of regime control of social base with insights about New War directed at actors in the regime institutions and the strategic plans.
The two theories would gain from paying higher attention to the dynamics of conflict as opposed to causes that trigger conflict. This means attention should be paid to how issues of contention and political differences and arguments are slated to either contain the wars or escalate them. It is the leaders in political realms that make these choices.
Politics Influence Crime Rates among the Lower Class people.
It has long been acknowledged that social inequalities case conflict in society. Such great thinkers and writers as Edwin Sutherland postulated that crime is lower in egalitarian and consensual communities compared to societies that manifest inequitable wealth ownership with various antagonistic beliefs. It is likely that inequitable societies sow a high crime rate because those in disadvantaged segments manifest a high tendency in crime involvement. Crime in the U.S. is largely associated with inner city areas in urban locations with disadvantaged groups (Matsueda and Grigoryeva).
The way social inequality, class interest and its definition relate is in sharp contrast when corporate crime comes into perspective. The term '' white collar crime '' was coined by Edwin Sutherland to refer to crimes committed by persons in high places in society. It was meant to highlight….....
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(n.d.). Study.com - Take Online Courses. Earn College Credit. Research Schools, Degrees & Careers. Social Conflict Theory and Crime: Definitions and Approach to Deviance - Video & Lesson Transcript - Study.com. Retrieved August 10, 2016, from http://study.com/academy/lesson/social-conflict-theory-and-crime-definitions-and-approach-to-deviance.html
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