Social Conflict and Critical Criminology Chapter 8 Professor Matthew Selves Unit 9 Seminar

Conflict and Crime –Those in power shape the context of the law White-collar crimes causing large quantities of damage punished leniently Petty crimes causing small amounts of damage punished severely Social Conflict and Critical Criminology

Origins of Critical Criminology –National Deviancy Conference How might social control cause deviancy –War in Vietnam, prison struggles, civil rights movement, feminist movement –Relationship between law, power, and crime Social Conflict and Critical Criminology

Contemporary Critical Criminology –Themes and Concepts Connection between social class, crime, and social control Role of the government in creating a criminogenic environment Relationship between personal/group power and shaping of criminal law Social Conflict and Critical Criminology

Contemporary Critical Criminology –Themes and Concepts Race and gender bias in the justice system Relationship between capitalistic economy and crime rates Misuse of political/social/media power to control behavior of others and shape public opinion Social Conflict and Critical Criminology

Contemporary Critical Criminology –Themes and Concepts American political system –Death penalty, three strikes laws, USA patriot act –Racism –Sexism Social Conflict and Critical Criminology

How Critical Criminologists Define Crime –Crime is a political concept designed to protect the power and position of the upper classes at the expense of the poor –Supranational Criminology Social Conflict and Critical Criminology

How Critical Criminologists Define Crime –Poor Street crime –Middle Class White-Collar Crime –Wealthy Racism Sexism Profiteering Social Conflict and Critical Criminology

State (Organized) Crime –Antisocial behaviors committed by state officials in pursuit of their jobs as government representatives War Political Corruption Illegal Domestic Surveillance Human Rights Violations State-Corporate Crime State Violence Social Conflict and Critical Criminology

How Critical Criminologists View the Cause of Crime –Surplus Value –Marginalization –Globalization Social Conflict and Critical Criminology

Instrumental Vs. Structural Theory –Instrumental Theory Criminal law and the criminal justice system are capitalist instruments for controlling the lower class –Structural Theory Criminal law and the criminal justice system are means of defending and preserving the capitalist system Social Conflict and Critical Criminology

Research on Critical Criminology –Historical Trends and Patterns –Empirical Research Social Conflict and Critical Criminology

Critique of Critical Criminology –Lack of Real Contribution to Criminology –Lack of Substance –Neglect of Regulatory Efforts in the Capitalist System –Neglect of Efforts at Social Reform Social Conflict and Critical Criminology

Critical Feminist Theory –Explains both victimization and criminality among women in terms of gender inequality, patriarchy, and the exploitation of women under capitalism –Patriarchy and Crime Double marginality Powerlessness –Exploitation and Criminality Social Conflict and Critical Criminology

Critical Feminist Theory –Power-Control Theory Paternalistic families Role exit behaviors Egalitarian families –Evaluating Power-Control Theory Social Conflict and Critical Criminology

Left Realism –Crime is a function of relative deprivation under capitalism and favors pragmatic, community-based crime prevention and control. –Crime Protection Preemptive Deterrence Social Conflict and Critical Criminology

Peacemaking Criminology –Purpose of criminology is to promote a peaceful, just society Social Conflict and Critical Criminology

Critical Theory and Public Policy –Failure of Old Punishment Policies –Restorative Justice Alternatives –The Process of Restoration Social Conflict and Critical Criminology

Critical Theory and Public Policy –Restoration Programs Sentencing circle Community Schools Police Courts Social Conflict and Critical Criminology

Critical Theory and Public Policy –Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) Accountability Competency development Community safety –The Challenge of Restorative Justice Social Conflict and Critical Criminology

Read Chapter 8 of Criminology: The Core Review Key Terms Watch the video Visit the Center for Court Innovation Web Site Practice the Flash Cards before you take the Exam Make postings to the Discussion Boards Attend the weekly Seminar Take the Exam Complete and Submit your Final Project Complete the Journal Visit Extra! Extra! Social Conflict and Critical Criminology

Remember to get all working missing from Unit 5 – 9 turned into me by the end of the term I cannot open up Exam but you can completed Discussions, Seminar, Journals, etc Contact me if you need anything Have a safe weekend GOOD LUCK !