Social conflict theory is the only one out of the vast number of criminology theories that deals directly with the above-described problem. From out of its roots arose a theory, which challenges the way in which today's society views its legal system and the implications it has on its working class citizens. The nature and purpose of social conflict theories is to examine the social controls made by the ruling class and imposed on the rest of society. Some theorists say that class order has nothing to do with crime rates in society, but Richard Quinney has made great strides in proving that social class has a direct connection with crime due to the social controls of a capitalist government.

Social conflict theory focuses mainly on why governments make and enforce rules of law and morality, and then why an individual violates these laws. Conflict theorists do not view those who commit deviant behavior as rebels who can't conform to social norms, they show how criminal law is used as a mechanism f

Conflict theorists do not argue that the poor commit more crimes than the rich, but they are certainly arrested and punished more often and more severely. A natural frustration exists in society in which a high value is placed on being rich and attaining the American dream that is unattainable for the majority of the citizens. A deep hostility develops among the lower class toward this social order mainly because they cannot participate unless it's by illegal means. Thus, the legal system is designed to guard the position of the upper class by any legal means necessary. "Conflict theorists seriously contradict the long-held presumption that the American system of law and justice is humane and fair to all citizens" (Senna 228). They (theorists) view the concept of juvenile delinquency to be created by and for the greater good of the capitalist society.

Many critics of social theory feel that it lacks empirical verification and has been historical and theoretical. "When Marxist theories of deviance are tested they lack the specific propositions sociologists require to test theories properly"(Senna 234). Others dispute the claims that the crimes of the rich are worst than those of the poor. Criminal activity and immoral behavior occur on every social level. Can a relationship between crime rates and social class be found in the real, everyday world?

Quinney, Richard. "The Social Reality of Crime." Boston: Little, Brown 1970.

When a system is oppressive the term "unjust" misses the larger design. The terminology of justice limits the understanding, and blinds the citizens of the capitalist society to the truth that oppression does exist in this structure. Apolitical economy based on increasing capital is bond for class struggle between the working class and the owners. The ironic thing about capitalism is that the capitalist class needs the expansion of productivity from the workers to gain a surplus value. The dynamics of capitalism is the struggle between classes.

Senna, Joseph and Larry Siegel. "Juvenile Delinquency Theory, Practice, and Law." New York: West Publishing, 1994.

Marx is seen to have avoided the use of justice as terminology. The whole notion of justice was seen as a way of mystifying the actual operation of capitalism. The problem with the concept of justice is that it is primarily a legal concept. Thus, the concept of justice is restricted to rational standards by which laws, social institutions, and human actions are judged. In this society human life is to be understood in terms of productive forces and relations of society, and not with the state as an expression of the prevailing mode of production.

Quinney, Richard. "Class, State, and Crime." New York: Longman, 1977.

Savitz, Leonard and Marvin Wolfgang. "The Sociology of Crime and Delinquency." New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1970.

Justice in the capitalist society is basically the idea of equal justice with the administration of positive law. Capitalist justice is then assured in the establishment of the legal order. Quinney puts it this way, "Capitalist justice is by the capitalist class, for the capitalist class, and against the working class"(Quinney 3). Official and public attention is mainly focused on rising crime and how it should be controlled. To prevent crime, law enforcement officers must be better organized and equipped, and more effectiv

Some common words found in the essay are:
Quinney Capitalist, Social Conflict, Richard Quinney, Marxist Marx, Social Conflicts, Lynn McDonald, Criminal Justice, criminal justice, capitalist society, social conflict, conflict theory, criminal justice system, capitalist class, St Petersburg, justice system, social class, class social, class struggle, capitalist system, social conflict theory, West Publishing, Connecticut Archon, class social conflict, lower middle class, capitalism capitalist class,
Approximate Word count = 2267
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)