Conflict theories Flashcards
what is the consensus approach
law reflects values shared by most members of a society
what is the conflict approach
laws are passed by ruling class to keep the common under control
what is the Conflict theorists view on conflict
see conflict as central to the organization of societies
what are the 2 different societies
homogenous societies
heterogenous societies
what are homogenous societies
the law represents mostly consensual norms and values
what are heterogenous societies
laws reflects cultural values of dominant group
what was George Vold’s 2 views on Group conflict theory
- crime happenes when there is conflict between the minority groups and the legal norms made my the dominant group
- crime happens when there is conflict between competing interest groups for power
what are Richard Quinney’s views on Group conflict
- only some groups are able to shape policy and law in a society
- law reflect the interests of the most powerful segments of society
- those in power create the conceptions of crime and criminal
what is the Marxist perspective
Under capitalism society is divided into between two groups the Bourgeoisie and the Proletariat
who are the bourgeoisie
the higher ups
who are the proletariat
the laboring class
what are the 2 interpretations of Marxist perspectives
- instrumental Marxism
- structural Marxism
what is Instrumental Marxism
belief that those who have positions in the government either belong to dominant group or identify strongly with the interests of the dominant group
capitalism requires the proletariat to be oppressed
what is Structural Marxism
The state works to reproduce capitalist society
leading to the legal and political institutions to reproduce the logics of capitalism
what is Left Realism
critique of Instrumental and structural Marxism
