Conflict Criminology

A view popularized in the 1960s and based on the theoretical focus of the philosopher Karl Marx. The law, which is influenced by those who hold the political, social, and economic power in society, is used as a means to control the poor or society's marginalized citizens. This is in direct opposition to the consensus perspective, which states that the law serves the views of the citizen majority. Instead, the state is viewed as the tool of the capitalist. The social inequality inherent in capitalistic systems begets criminal activity. The poor will commit nonviolent crimes to obtain money, and they will commit violent crimes to vent their rage and frustration over oppressive social conditions. Society will rid itself of crime only if it rids itself ...

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