Conflict Theory Of Crime

Karl Marx was the founder of conflict theory. Conflict theory examines the difference between ranks or classes in material and nonmaterial resources that cause conflict. The classes, with more power use that power to exploit the weaker or powerless classes. Marx originally thought the classes would become equal with time, however, with the big push to make profit and the new technologies of America the gap between the rich and the poor is only widening. Consequently, the rich become richer and the poor become poorer. The exploitation of the profit difference creates conflict in the society of the rich vs poor. In society there will always be acts of conflict. However the acts of crime and consequences of crime differ hugely based on the level

For example, the upper class citizens have more money which could result in a better lawyer. Although they are not the same crime, embezzlement, performed as a white collar crime, and robbery, a street crime, can be compared on a judicial level. Presuming these crimes could receive about the same sentence, because they are both stealing, often times stealing of money or things of value. Brooks Holland, who attained a Juris Doctor degree at Boston University School of Law, stated when one goes to court, the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right of an attorney and a fair trial (381). However, lawyers can be very expensive. Therefore the upper class have an advantage in court. So even though the act of robbery and the act of embezzlement can be compared and presumed to receive the same sentence, it is more likely the robbery will suffer a worse consequence then the embezzlement. This is because embezzlement is a white collar crime, often committed by the upper class white who attain much more money for a higher ranked lawyer. This unfair establishment can be explained by conflict theory. Again, conflict arises between the rich and poor because of situations seen as unfair, in this case a trial that is promised to be equal but not held to those exact