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 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). For example, there is still very little focus on white-collar crime and even less enforcement of it in the United States (Sutherland, 1940). From the conflict view, this would be because white-collar crimes are committed by the rich and powerful.

Licenses and Attributions for Conflict View

Open Content, Shared Previously

“1.7. Conflict View” is adapted from “1.6. Conflict View” by Shanell Sanchez in SOU-CCJ230 Introduction to the American Criminal Justice System by Alison S. Burke, David Carter, Brian Fedorek, Tiffany Morey, Lore Rutz-Burri, and Shanell Sanchez, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. Modified by Sam Arungwa and revised by Roxie Supplee, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, for brevity.