THE CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE OF DEVIANCEChapter 7 – Deviance and Social Control

Class, Crime, and the Criminal Justice System

Criminal Justice System: The system of police, courts, and prisons set up to deal with people who are accused of having committed a crime

An Instrument of Oppression Conflict Theory Refresher:

Focuses on social inequality in society Believe laws and norms reflect the interests

of powerful members of society

An Instrument of Oppression Wealthy have resources to avoid being

labeled as deviant

An Instrument of Oppression Does the law operate impartially?

Conflict theorists would say, “No.”

Believe the wealthy pass laws to benefit themselves

An Instrument of Oppression The law punishes

street crimes harshly Working class

outnumber the wealthy Have potential to rebel

and overthrow social order

System does not focus on white collar crime

Jon Stewart Discuss Corporate Crime

An Instrument of Oppression The powerful may only have to testify

before a government committee

Dr. Mehmet Oz Testified Before Congress Over Diet Scams