CONFLICT THEORY

Race and Crime - Conflict Theory

Race and Crime - Conflict Theory

The conflict perspective views the law as a tool used by dominant groups, those that have the social, political, and economic power, to maintain their privileged position over subordinate groups. Dominant groups include the white race, the wealthy, and the politically connected. Subordinate groups include minority races, the poor, and the politically neglected. These subordinate groups pose a threat, and the dominant groups use the legal code to keep the subordinate groups from usurping their power. Behaviors often adopted by members of the subordinate groups are often criminalized in American ...