Conflict Theory

Conflict Theory Richard Rzasa Criminology 201 Professor J. Johnson 04/23/14 Karl Marx developed the conflict theory so as to understand what brings civilization. According to Marx civilization, is an aspect that conflicts influences. Karl Marx stated there are two classes of people working class and capitalists. He went ahead and said the two classes are a representation of the ruling and the subject class. There are several benefits associated to the ruling class. That class has control over resources. The conflict theory got created so as to show how the issue of having conflict in the communities influence civilization rate. The ruling class and the elites use their power so as to control the rest of the society (Andersen & Taylor, 2009). The elites have the knowledge on how to possess material and intellectual power. The working class depends on the ruling class so as to obtain their power while they are undertaking their daily work. The conflict theory can be of high importance when showing the rise of crime in the society. The capitalists normally make laws and enact them into laws. Moreover, the people who are involved fully in committing crimes can be referred to as white-collar crimes. Since white collar crimes are crimes like fraud or any other corrupt activity. The working classes are the ones who commit violent and petty crimes like stealing. In most cases, the working classes get apprehended and have problems with the law than the ruling class. This is because the ruling class has high pay and the judges who prosecute criminals are of the same class as them. Hence, judges barely prosecute the ruling class (shepherd, 2009). Conflict theory is very crucial in showing the aspects of conflicts experienced in society today. The rules and regulations that rule the activities in countries get influenced by the ruling class. Hence, crime is associated with the working class because the ruling class creates much time trying to set up legal framework against the less fortunate. The legal issues executed by the rich are usually targeted to protect themselves against the rich. Due to this reason, most laws that are in various countries are aimed to make sure the poor do not touch the rich (Vito, Maahs & Holmes, 2007). The statues and laws protect the rich and their riches from being taken or damaged by the poor. That is the major reason as to why the laws are against stealing. The theory state as the ruling class remain to look clean, they commit several crimes than the working class. What the ruling does is to overlook the values and the ethics that should take place when dealing with the working class. The ruling class ends up treating the working class in sub-human ways. So, for this reason the ruling class does not treat the working class with respect. Social vices and crime happen due to the gap between the rich and the poor. When some people get oppressed, they develop urge and culture of revenge to cut down the discrimination. Additionally, due to wealth imbalance, the working classes have the urge of accumulating wealth so as to bridge the poverty gap. This is the reason the working classes get involved in criminal activities so as gain material satisfaction (shepherd, 2009). To conclude, the conflict theory shows how the society is run by the group of influential individuals and group of wealth people who use their power to exploit the less fortunate in the society. The less fortunate are known as working class since mostly they are the ones involved in the producing of goods for the ruling class. Through the imbalance, the community form laws and specifications to rule and govern the manner in which the country should operate References Andersen, M. L., & Taylor, H. F. (2007). Sociology: Understanding a diverse society. Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning. Shepard, J. M. (2009). Sociology. Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning. Vito, G. F., Maahs, J. R., & Holmes, R. M. (2007). Criminology: Theory, research, and policy. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. onflict Theory Rzasa 4 Running head: Conflict Theory Rzasa