Conflict Theory

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Conflict Theory
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Conflict Theory

• Economic system produces problem populations
• Marx MP ? RP ? superstructure
• Family, religion, education, the state
• Law
• Reproduce Legitimate
• Contradictions
• Reduce labor cost
• Labor also consumer

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Conflict Theory, 2

• Who is deviant?
• Threats to economic system
• State involvement
• Size and threat of group
• Degree of organization of group
• Can traditional "reproduction" help?
• Alternatives available
• Other/additional uses

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Conflict Theory, 3

• Steven Spitzer
• Two problem populations
• Social junk
• Social dynamite
• Two means of control
• Administrative
• Criminal/Legal

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Problem Populations Control
Not Troublesome, Not Needed (Social Junk) Do not, will not, cannot contribute Poor, elderly, impaired Expensive, harmless Administrative Control Troublesome, Not Needed (Social Dynamite) Excluded from system Unemployed, young, laid off Expensive, dangerous Legal Control
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Fiscal Crisis of the State

• Alternatives to state control
• Do nothing
• Conversion
• Geographical segregation
• Unofficial tolerance of organized crime
• Privatization

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Evaluating Conflict Theory

• Problems
• Overstates class conflict
• Conspiracy mentality
• Strengths
• Expands range of considerations
• Forces debate

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Evaluating Conflict Theory

• Important Considerations
• Cause and Nature of Deviance economic system
• vs. "deviants"
• Social control (like labeling) is a problem
• Solution change economic system