week1 db -- new course
ismails95
Chapter5-ConflictTheoryQuinney.pptxCJ 240 Deviance and Social Control
Conflict Theory of Crime Richard Quinney
Introduction
2 groups in society:
Dominant class
Those they dominate
Defining and enforcing crime becomes a means of reproducing the power and socioeconomic inequalities bt these groups
Those dominating society use their power to formulate laws, to apply them to less powerful groups and to rationalize their bx as legitimate
In turn, those defined as criminal, become more likely to engage in further bx that will be defined as criminal;
How criminal law fits into capitalist society…
Social reality of crime is constructed on conflict in our society:
1. The Official Definition of Crime
2. Formulating Definitions of Crime
3. Applying Definitions of Crime
4. How BX Patterns Develop in Relations to Definitions of Crime
5. Constructing an Ideology of Crime
6. Constructing the Social Reality of Crime
I. The Official Definition of Crime
Crime as a legal definition is created by agents of the dominant class in a politically organized society
Crime is a definition of bx that is conferred on some ppl by those in power
Crime is a judgment made about the actions and characteristics of others
Greater the # of definitions of crime, the greater the amt crime
II. Formulating Definitions of Crime
Definitions of crime are composed of bx that conflict with the interests of the dominant class
Formulated according to the interests of those who have the power to turn their interests into public policy
Changes as the interests of the dominant class change
Not only do they define what is criminal – they define legal policies on handling those defined as criminals (tx, corrections, enforcement)
III. Applying the Definitions of Crime
Applied by the class that has the power to shape the enforcement and administration of criminal law
Law must be enforced and administered
Those whose bx conflicts with the interests of the powerful must change bx or risk being defined as criminal
LE activity likely to increase when interests of the dominant class are threatened
(quality of life policing)
Local conditions determine how the definitions will be applied
IV. How Bx Patterns Develop in Relation to Definitions of Crime
Bx is structured according to definitions of crime, ppl engage in actions that have relative probabilities of being defined as criminal
All bxs represent patterns in society
Likelihood ppl will develop action patterns with a high potential for being defined as criminal depends on:
1. structured opportunities
2. learning experiences
3. interpersonal associations and identifications
4. self conceptions
We behave according to the anticipated consequences of our actions
Those who have been defined as criminal – begin to see themselves that way
learn to play the criminal; role
Increases likelihood of being defined as criminal in the future
V. Constructing an Ideology of Crime
An ideology of crime is constructed and diffused by the dominant class to secure its hegemony (predominant influence, as of a state, region, or group, over another or others)
Concept of crime is accompanied by ideas about the nature of crime
Images about the offender’s characteristics, appropriate reaction to the crime
Ideology can be formed through official investigation of crime
VI. Constructing the Social Reality of Crime
The social reality of crime is constructed by the formulation and application of definitions of crime, the development of bx patterns in relation to these definitions and the construction of an ideology of crime
(this sums up the other 5 points into 1 point)
