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Crime Theories

Conflict theory sees crime as a result of large forces such as economic ones (Lanier and Henry 238). It recognizes that law has a symbolic role and is a social control mechanism representing those in power. This means laws represent the interest of the dominant group and criminalize the crimes of the powerless while leaving those of the dominant class as minor offenses. Conflict theory sees human nature as amoral, and early conflict theorists believed conflict arose when power, prestige and wealth coincided (240). Contemporary conflict theorists such as Turk believe that unless people in subordinate positions to those in power learn to be deferential to the powerful, their acts will be seen as criminal (244-245). Turk believed that over time, this relationship became less coercive and more automatic, and the next generation were less likely to contest those in authority.

Quinney saw humans as rational, purposeful beings subject to an unequal distribution of power that produced conflict (Lanier and Henry 245). Criminalization, according to Quinney, is done to maintain power in the hands of those who have it (246). Conflict theory argues that capitalism engenders crime because it intensifies the differences in populations between those in power and those not. It argues that there is no difference between criminals and non-criminals except that non-criminals have the means (wealth, prestige, and power) to get around the legal entanglements which enmesh those who do not. Powerless people commit crime because the cooperative spirit is demoralized and egoistic tendencies win out over altruism (262). Conflict theory is only a partial explanation of why people commit crime. Many crimes are committed for economic reasons, but not all, e.g. rape, murder, assault. People are the same the world over, so conflict theory's explanations of crime are valid whichever country you are talking about, rich or poor, developed or not. ...

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Crime Theories. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 05:41, March 29, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1703288.html