Conflict Theory Origins Conflict Theory a k a

Conflict Theory

Origins ❖ Conflict Theory a. k. a. Critical Theory ❖ Theorists are/were “critical” of previous criminological theories that didn’t take into account the economic conditions that give way to crime, specifically. . .

Capitalism ❖ Let’s take a look at Karl Marx, what he really said, and how it applies to the study of economics, sociology, political science, etc. ❖ Born in Germany in 1818, lived in Paris and Brussels from 1843 to 1849, and then lived in London from 1849 to his death in 1883

Marxian Theory ❖ Marx’s main premise: ❖ In capitalist society, the means of production are controlled by the Bourgeoisie — the elite, the wealthy, the select few. They owned ❖ The land, the factories, and the raw materials used to make everything ❖ Those who work on the land, in the factories, making raw materials into goods to be sold are the Proletariat — the workers, including (in Marx’s day) children. They owned ❖ Nothing. Not even their own place to live.

Capitalism as Propaganda ❖ Capitalism is a system that tells us that anyone can succeed (financially) if they invest their talents and energy in the marketplace. ❖ Not a physical marketplace, but any situation in which people buy from and sell to each other. ❖ Anyone can make it if they just try hard enough. ❖ Convinces the Proletariat they can become part of the Bourgeoisie if they just try hard enough ❖ Keep working, and you’ll be successful. ❖ BUT, says Marx, the opportunity and ability to own the means of production are always out of reach.

More on Capitalism ❖ ❖ The result is a catch-22 ❖ The workers believe they can succeed if they just work harder ❖ Their hard work brings profits to the owners ❖ The owners expand their ownership, making it that much harder for the common worker to “buy in” As long as the workers perceive their position in the economic structure to be legitimate, they will continue to work for the owners. ❖ ❖ The rich will get richer and the poor will get poorer Only once the Proletariat sheds this “false consciousness” will they reject capitalism

Capitalism and Government ❖ Furthermore, owning the means of production — being wealth — also affords one the resources necessary to run for office, have good lawyers, have financial influence over other politicians, etc. , and thus control the government ❖ Bourgeoisie control of the government means that laws are written that protect the interests of the Bourgeoisie

Rejecting Capitalism ❖ The Proletariat’s rejection of capitalism, says Marx, will come in the form of a violent rebellion against the Bourgeoisie ❖ A Bourgeoisie-supported government will be replaced by a socialist government ❖ Government control over business that establishes what can be sold and how much of it can be sold — profit is no longer the goal ❖ Social services established to provide education, health care, unemployment benefits, etc. ❖ Government-sponsored education of the remaining Bourgeoisie to teach its members that what they were doing under capitalism was wrong

Arriving at Communism ❖ The former Proletariat workers already understand that concern for fellow human beings should be the goal ❖ Profit should NOT be the goal ❖ Under the socialist educational system, the former Bourgeoisie owners will learn to have concern for fellow human beings ❖ Once this is understood by all, there becomes no more need for government ❖ Communism is society without government where ❖ Each citizen treats all others with dignity and respect ❖ “Each according to his abilities to each according to his needs”

Communism and the P. R. War ❖ By the time Vladamir Lenin led the (final) Soviet Revolution in November 1917, he had read less of Marx’s writings than the average college student today ❖ Lenin never really understood what Marx had intended ❖ The Soviet State was an attempt at Marxist Socialism ❖ The U. S. S. R. was never a communist regime. (Remember, in true communism, there is no government. ) ❖ There has never been a communist regime. Ever. ❖ The concept of “communist government” is an oxymoron. ❖ Because of what Lenin did, communism and Marxian theory were (are? ) considered evil in the U. S. ❖ Socialism is The ‘S’ Word! — Even when people don’t understand what it means.

The Birth of Critical/Conflict Theories of Crime ❖ ❖ Consider the social order of the 1960 s and early 1970 s ❖ War in Vietnam ❖ Kent State shootings ❖ Attica Prison riot ❖ Watergate Many in society and academia (including criminologists) had come to learn that government could not always be trusted

Central Themes of Critical Criminology ❖ Critical/conflict criminology encompasses a broad range of theoretical perspectives and research. However, five fairly common themes have emerged: 1. Government, including criminal law, operates to perpetuate the power of the ruling class. 2. What is, and is not, outlawed reflects the power structure in society.

Central Themes of Critical Criminology (cont. ) 3. The criminal justice system ultimately serves the interests of the capitalist class. 4. Capitalism is the root cause of criminal behavior because the needs of the poor are ignored. 5. The solution to crime is the creation of a more equal distribution of resources in society. a. Furthermore, critical criminologists have a responsibility to get out of the ivory tower and work to make this happen.

Applying Marxian Theory to Criminology ❖ Marx’s writings centered mostly on economics and politics, and only sparsely covered crime and criminality. ❖ In his 1916 publication, Criminality and Economic Conditions, Willem Bonger showed the first application of Marxian theory to crime. ❖ Capitalism breeds the central mental state of “egoism” ❖ And egoism is left morally unchecked in the “brutish living conditions” experienced by the Proletariat ❖ Further, Bonger explained white-collar crime as a result of egoism, even among businesses doing well ❖ Honesty is to be valued only when it doesn’t interfere with the person gaining economic advantage

Applying Marxian Theory to Criminology (cont. ) ❖ Richard Quinney published Class, State, and Crime (2 nd edition) in 1980 ❖ Sought to explain crime amongst the Bourgeoisie, called “domination and repression” ❖ The rich must violate the law in order to secure the existing economic system ❖ Crimes of economic domination: price fixing, Ponzi schemes, environmental pollution ❖ Crimes of government: political corruption, assassination of foreign heads of state, support of brutal dictators ❖ Crimes of control: police brutality, violations of civil rights

Applying Marxian Theory to Criminology (cont. ) ❖ Sought to explain crime amongst the Proletariat, called “accommodation or resistance” ❖ Crimes of accommodation: where the workers still share the false consciousness, they steal, rob, assault, murder — often against members of their own class — as a reaction to their place in the economic strata ❖ ❖ Think Strain Theory Crimes of resistance: where the workers have gained a political consciousness, they seek to bring down the Bourgeoisie rule. E. g. , sabotage of factories, but could also include vandalism