1. Conflict Criminology Social paradigms
Consensus – general consensus on values
Role of State to mediate conflicts
Conflict – disagreement on values
State represents interests of the elite
Elite define what is appropriate behavior to further their self-interests
Powerless are more likely to be defined as criminals

2. Early Conflict Theories

3. Cultural conflict – Sellin
Conduct norms: how people are supposed to act under certain circumstances
Conduct norms often become laws
In simple, homogenous societies these laws may actually reflect a social consensus
In complex, heterogeneous societies there may be disagreement and no consensus
Border regions
Colonization

4. Group conflict – Vold People form groups with others of like interest
Groups continuously try to improve their standing
Achieve a kind of stasis known as “social order”
Groups may come into conflict when their interests and purposes intersect
Try to use the C.J. system to promote their standing
When groups are in conflict, member loyalty to their group increases
Lawmaking, lawbreaking and law enforcement reflects competition between groups for control of the State’s police power
Crime becomes by definition the behavior of “minority power groups” that do not have enough clout to defend their interests

5. Conflict Theories in a Time of Conflict
Civil Rights Movement
- - -
The Vietnam War

6. Criminalization - Turk
Authorities try to maintain a “consensus-coercion” balance
Try to keep power relationships from shifting too much either way
Cultural and social norms
Cultural norm: laws as written
Social norms: laws as enforced
Variables affecting likelihood of conflict:
Cultural or social norms of authorities and subjects differ
Subjects have a language/philosophy to defend their behavior
Level of organization and sophistication of authorities/subjects:
Conflict more likely when subjects are organized (individuals less likely to back down)
Conflict more likely when either group is less sophisticated (less able to subtly work around the conflict)
Factors affecting criminalization of behavior
Degree of agreement within the authorities (police, prosecutors, courts)
Relative power of enforcers and resisters

7. “Social reality of crime” - Quinney
Crime is conduct that conflicts with the interests of influential “segments” of society
These segments may or may not be organized or able to protect their interests
“Segments” have different behaviors and normative systems
People more likely to be labeled “criminal” if their “segment” does not influence the criminal law
Segments communicate their “conceptions of crime” throughout society (e.g., by the media)
These communications shape our attitudes about what crime is or ought to be
Example - consumers argue that corporate executives are “the real criminals”

8. Analysis of the CJ System – Chambliss and Seidman
Power of the state - two formulations
Consensus: A value-neutral framework where conflicts can be peacefully resolved
Conflict: Power of the state IS the prize in perpetual conflict within society
Lawmaking characterized by warring interest groups
The higher a group’s economic and political position, the more likely its views will be reflected in the law
Appellate courts - primarily oriented to wealthy rather than the poor
Law enforcement focuses its efforts on the weak and powerless

9. Unified Conflict Theory of Crime

10. In complex societies people’s values and interests will conflict
People act in patterns that they think benefit them and which they think are right or excusable
Group values and power affect:
What acts become defined as crimes
Extent to which group members will become violators
CJ agencies more likely to listen to the powerful
CJ agencies more likely to process easier cases, thus more likely to sanction the powerless
Official crime rates for groups and individuals will reflect the above

11. Testing conflict theory
Most studies compare race and equity of CJ decisions
Sentencing - usually find a disparity
Is it bias? Controlling for factors such as seriousness of offense or prior record often eliminates the difference
Less affluent are less able to mount an effective defense (retain better counsel, post bail)
More policing in minority areas; more arrests
Minority areas may have more street crime
Greater need or demand for police services
Greater likelihood of arresting members of minority groups