Conflict Theory(ies) of Deviance

(these ideas drawn from Goode, 1994-2008 chapter 4; and Pfohl, Images of Deviance and Social Control, 1985. See the disclaimer)

Consensus vs. Conflict

Conflict Theories' Foci:

Pluralistic (Cultural Conflict) vs. Radical Conflict Theories: Differences-

  1. Radical: Economic Structure/Social Class
  2. Pluralistic/Cultural: Variety of Interests and a Variety of Groups

Radical (Marxist) Conflict Theory

Karl Marx

Marx:

William Bonger (1930-40)

Richard Quinney (1960's)

Plain Marxist:

Structural Marxism (Colvin and Pauly):

Stephan Spitzer (1970-): (merging with structuralism)

Radical Marxism--Focus:

Law:

Chambliss: Vagrancy Laws

The Carrier Case of 1473

Differential application of law:

  1. "Small" scale bias and racism at 13 decision points in CJS produces homogeneous population in prison.
  2. 10.2% African-Am. vs. 2.7% Whites who are arrested become institutionalized.
  3. Working Class vs White Collar Crime
  4. Visibility of the powerless
  5. Sanctioning: "Great Electrical Conspiracy-- GE fined $1.8 million, "profit"--$1.7 billion.
  6. Fine for White Collar criminality is often tax deductible (not usually a criminal sanction, but regulatory action).
  7. From 1890-1969: 1551 cases of White Collar "incidents." 45% tried as criminal cases, 35 convictions, 2% of convictions institutionalized for an average length of 6 months.

Solution to the problem of Deviance: Redistribute wealth and power. (How?)

Critique of Marxist Conflict Theory (Goode)

Not all conflict represents economic or social class interests

Crime continues to exist in (so-called) socialist societies

There is a similarity between socialist and capitalist societies in erms of the workings of the legal system: arrest and imprisonment as solutions to the "crime" problem

Pluralistic (cultural) Conflict

"...examines authority-subject relationships within institutions with little concern for overarching or overlapping authority-subject relationships across institutions. Within this general framework, Turk focuses on legal conflict and criminalization. Specifically, he asks the following two questions:

  1. Under what conditions are authority-subject cultural and behavioral differences transformed into legal conflict?
  2. Under what conditions do those who violate laws (norms of the authorities) become criminalized? In other words, under what circumstances are laws enforced? (Liska, 1987: 178)"

Turk's answer to these questions is summarized a set of six propositions.

"In answer to the first question above:

The probability of enforcement can be conditionalized as:

Turk presents a picture of crime and deviance in a modern, complex and heterogeneous society as an ongoing struggle.

Solution? Conflict is inherent in human relationships, therefore deviance will always be a feature of social life. Through reform we can reduce the intensity and extent of deviance.

Feminist Theories of Deviance

URL: http://www.umsl.edu/~keelr/200/conflict.html
Owner: Robert O. Keel rok@umsl.edu
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Last Updated: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 11:51 AM