Criminology Today: An Integrative Introduction, Essay Example

Karl Marx is thought to have come up with the radical conflict theory of criminology which is also named the social conflict theory. “From this main theory has branched other theories such as left realism, radical feminism and postmodernism theories”. (“Conflict, 2005).  People simply cannot exist and be happy in a society in which exploits them. This has been exemplified in many marches in several countries such as Iraq and marches at the capitol of the United States against controversial issues such as abortion and gay rights. Karl Marx thought that in a society there would always be some people that ruled and some that would be ruled or the rulers and the working class. Workers were demoralized in what was known as a capitalistic society which eventually led to crime and violence. “The conflict theory is based on the premise that society and economy has a great influence upon the fundamental causes of crime.” (“Conflict, 2005). The economy is essentially controlled by a few wealthy people and the rest of society is ‘slave laborers’.

In contrast to the conflict theory of criminology, the consensus theory of criminology believes in having a functioning society through everyone participating by playing an individual role for the better of society. This can be accomplished by ignoring the bad effects of choices and viewing them as being done for the betterment of the society as a whole. “Police, hospitals, schools and other entities play their role in making society a functional part by working collaboratively to make a socio cultural system work.” (“Economicexpert.com). The functionalist theory contends that the radical theory of conflict is harmful to society.

The American society is of majority a functionalist society in the major urban areas. You may find in some small rural towns there still exists some tainted forms of Marxist radical conflict theory practice.

References

Schmalleger, F. (2007) Criminology Today: An integrative introduction New York: NY Pearson Prentice Hall

Conflict (2005) Retrieved March 28, 2010 from, http://www.criminology.fsu.edu/crimtheory/conflict.htm

Economicexpert.com (2009) Retrieved March 28, 2010 from, http://www.criminology.fsu.edu/crimtheory/conflict.htm