CMY3701
ASSIGNMENT 1 SEMESTER 1 & 2 2024
PREVIEW OF QUESTION 1
Given the major global social, political and economic changes of the past
... [Show More] several years, do you believe that the basic assumptions and perspectives of the conflict approach to crime are still valid. Explain your answer
Conflict approach maintains that society is composed of diverse groups with conflicting values and interests. In all societies, these groups have differential access to power, prestige and wealth. The Marxist approach to conflict theory focuses on economic determinism and the importance of social class (Anderson et al, 2007:41).
QUESTION 1
Given the major global social, political and economic changes of the past several years, do you believe that the basic assumptions and perspectives of the conflict approach to crime are still valid. Explain your answer.
Introduction
The ideas that make up the foundation of conflict theory can be traced back to early philosophy. Ancient Chinese philosophers taught that men are naturally lazy and weak. This assumption leads to the obvious conclusion that the only way men can be controlled, then is through punishment. Those who have the power to punish can control society, as the fear of the power of punishment keeps men in place. The conflict model of crime is based on the assumption that differences in race, class, income and age cause groups to fight for power. Groups with the most power pass laws that protect the status quo against resistance by marginalised groups. Definitions of crime depend on who is in power, with less powerful groups characterised and targeted as criminals to keep them in a subordinate position.
Definition of a key concept Conflict perspective
Conflict approach maintains that society is composed of diverse groups with conflicting values and interests. In all societies, these groups have differential access to power, prestige and wealth. The Marxist approach to conflict theory focuses on economic determinism and the importance of social class (Anderson et al, 2007:41).
Assumptions of conflict theory
Conflict theories share one fundamental assumption, namely, that societies are characterised by conflict and not by consensus. Consensus is a temporary state of affairs, but the use of power to establish and maintain consensus is the central issue that should be investigated. The main outcome of conflict is that somebody gains power and somebody else loses power for example if a new political group takes over the current government, the new government will gain all of the power and the previous government will lose the power they had. The most powerful groups in society control the law and it is the values of these groups that are accepted as the legal standard for behaviour for example the values that the
government will apply will be accepted as the legal standard, so if the government doesn’t do much or care about corruption, these values will become part of our societies
According to Schmalleger (1996:312) the conflict perspective may be described in terms of the following six key elements: [Show Less]