A third perspective of how we define crime or create laws is the conflict view. Conflict view sees society as a collection of diverse groups that can include owners, workers, wealthy, poor, students, professionals, younger, older, and more. This view recognizes that the creation of laws is unequal and may not have consensus like in the example discussed previously (Hawkins, 1987).

The conflict view suggests that groups are often in constant conflict with one another. Unlike the consensus perspective, the conflict view would suggest that the crime definitions are controlled by those with wealth, power, and social position in society. Essentially, laws are made by a select group in society, and the laws protect the ‘haves.’ Criminality shapes the values of the ruling class and is not of ‘moral consensus’ (Boundless, 2016). There are many examples we use in the criminal justice field that demonstrate the conflict view in action.

1.8.1 Edwin Sutherland: White Collar Crime (Example)

Edwin Sutherland, a sociologist, first introduced white-collar crime in 1939. He later published articles and books on the topic (Sutherland, 1940). He was concerned with the criminological community’s preoccupation with low-status offenders and “street crimes” and the lack of attention given to crimes by people in higher status occupations.

Sutherland wrote a book, White Collar Crime, that sparked lots of debate (Sutherland, 1949). There is still very little focus on white-collar crime and even less enforcement of it in the United States. From the conflict view, this would be because white-collar crimes are committed by the rich and powerful.