Deviance, Crime, and Social Control - Conflict Theory

Deviance, Crime, and Social Control SOCI 1306 Conflict Theory Conflict theory holds that social and economic variables are the primary causes of crime and deviance. It was created by sociologists like C. Wright Mills and Ralf Dahrendorf and is based on the writings of Karl Marx. Conflict theorists see these events as harsh signs of ingrained disparities within the social structure, in contrast to functionalists who see them as essential components of a harmonious society that contribute to its stability and functionality. They contend that rather than being just aberrant behaviours that upset social order, crime and deviance are signs of structural injustices and power disparities that the ruling class maintains in order to retain its hegemony. Conflict theorists contend that these theories tend to minimise or trivialise the significant effects of racial and socioeconomic inequality. This viewpoint contradicts the fundamental tenets of other sociological theories, such as control theory and social disorganisation theory. For example, social disorganisation theory links crime and deviance to the disintegration of social institutions and community ties in disordered neighbourhoods. It implies that people are more prone to commit crimes when social institutions like families, communities, and educational institutions fail to have an impact. Conflict theorists contend that despite this theory's emphasis on the value of social cohesiveness and community structure, it ignores the larger backdrop of systematic inequity. They contend that social disarray is a reflection of larger socioeconomic pressures that routinely deny some groups their rights rather than just the product of frayed communal ties. For instance, poverty, unemployment, and limited educational opportunities are not unique to chaotic neighbourhoods; rather, they are byproducts of a capitalist system that enriches a privileged few at the expense of the mass of people who are marginalised. In a similar vein, the control hypothesis asserts that criminal activity occurs when social ties are severed or weakened. Strong ties to family, school, and other social institutions may prevent aberrant behaviour, according to this idea, which highlights the significance of norms and social institutions in controlling behaviour. Conflict theorists, however, argue that control theory overlooks the significance of power dynamics and inequality and oversimplifies the intricate interaction of social forces. They contend that the very idea of "control" is entwined with the systems of power that establish and uphold social norms. Laws and rules are usually created to protect the interests of those in power, who typically define what is illegal or deviant. Because of this systemic prejudice against them, members of marginalised communities may find themselves disproportionately targeted and criminalized—not because they lack social links, mind you. Conflict theorists also stress how important it is to look at how gender, ethnicity, and class connect to understand crime and deviance. They contend that these social categories are intricately woven into the systems of power and inequality rather than being purely personal traits. For instance, it is impossible to properly comprehend the relationship between race and crime without taking into account the historical and current effects of systematic racism and racial discrimination. The reasons why African Americans and other minority groups are frequently overrepresented in crime statistics are not due to an innate criminal tendencies, but rather to the combined impact of social, economic, and political marginalisation. Higher arrest and imprisonment rates for certain groups are a result of racial profiling, biassed court procedures, and discriminatory enforcement tactics, which feed the cycle of inequality and reinforce unfavourable preconceptions. Gender also has a significant impact on how criminal and deviant behaviour patterns are shaped. Conflict theorists investigate the ways in which gender norms and patriarchal institutions impact the kinds of crimes that are perpetrated as well as the ways in which society reacts to them. For example, women may commit different kinds of crimes than males, frequently as a result of their marginalised position and the options that aren't readily available to them. Furthermore, the criminal justice system frequently underreports and fails to appropriately handle crimes against women, such as sexual assault and domestic abuse, which reflects the widespread effects of gender inequality. Through the prism of conflict theory, there are also strong connections between wealth and crime. Because of the capitalism system's innate focus on competition and profit, there are large economic gaps that fuel criminal activity. Motivated by greed and the desire for financial gain, people in positions of power and privilege frequently conduct white-collar crimes including embezzlement, fraud, and insider trading. Street crimes, on the other hand, are more likely to be perpetrated by people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and are usually less conspicuous and penalised harshly. This disparity in how various crimes are handled highlights how privilege and power play a part in creating and upholding the law. Conflict theorists also draw attention to how the government and the legal system contribute to the continuation of inequality. Policies and laws are frequently created to uphold the rights of the rich and powerful while outlawing actions connected to the underprivileged and disenfranchised. The criminal justice system, which consists of the court, law enforcement, and penal facilities, is a mechanism used to uphold social control and the established power structures. For instance, the "War on Drugs" and other policies have disproportionately targeted minority populations, resulting in mass imprisonment and deepening racial and economic inequality. Finally, conflict theory offers a crucial framework for comprehending how social and economic injustices give rise to crime and deviance. By highlighting the influence of power dynamics, systematic racism, and socioeconomic inequality on the formation of criminal behaviour patterns, it questions the presumptions of other sociological theories. Conflict theorists provide a thorough understanding of how systemic injustices affect the frequency and perception of crime by concentrating on the intersections of gender, race, and class. This viewpoint emphasises how important it is to deal with the underlying causes of inequality in order to build a society that is more just and equal. As such, conflict theory functions as a catalyst for societal change and justice in addition to being a prism through which to view crime and deviance.