Social Conflict Theory: Critical Criminology and Restorative Justice, Slides of Criminology

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Chapter 8 Social Conflict Theory: Critical Criminology and Restorative Justice

Figure 8.1 The Branches of Social Conflict Theory

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

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 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

CNN Clip - FTAA Protest

Critical Criminology

• Origins of Critical Conflict Theory  Influence of British sociologists in 1968 formed the National Deviancy Conference (NDC)  The NDC were critical of positivist criminology and the conservative stance  U.S. scholars were influenced by widespread social ferment of the late 1960s and early 1970s  In 1980s left realism emerged which influenced peacemaking criminology  Critical conflict criminologists are concerned with the recent conservative agendas of cutting social programs and increased military spending

Critical Criminology

• Globalization  Criminals are products of society and economic systems  Critical criminologists are wary of globalization and capitalization trends  Criminologists question the altruism of multi-national corporations - The growing global dominance and reach of the free-market capitalist system disproportionately benefits the wealthy and powerful - The increasing vulnerability of indigenous people - The growing influence and impact of international financial institutions (World Bank) - The non-democratic operation of international financial institutions

Critical Criminology

• Instrumental View  Views criminal law and the criminal justice system as instruments for controlling the poor as have-not members of society  Capitalism serves the interests of the powerful and rich, and enables them to impose their morality on society  Marxists consider it essential of demystify (unmask) law and justice

Critical Criminology

• Research on Critical Criminology  Marxists suggest that traditional research is designed to unmask the weak and powerless  Critical research tends to be historical and analytical, not qualitative and empirical  Research involves both macro- and micro-level issues

Critical Criminology

• Crime, the Individual, and the State  Crime and its control are a function of capitalism, and the justice system is biased against the working class and favors upper- class interests  Critical analysis of the criminal justice system is designed to identify the hidden processes that control people’s lives  Subject to analysis is the how the power relationships help undermine any benefit the lower class receives from sentencing reforms