Comparing Labeling and Conflict Theories Research Paper

Labeling and Conflict Theory

Conflict theory is largely based upon a Marxist conception of human relations. It suggests that the definition of crime is created by social elites to bolster their social position. For example, for many years within the criminal justice system, the crime of using crack cocaine was penalized significantly more than the use of powder cocaine. Not coincidentally, a Marxist theorist would note, people living in the inner city were more likely to use the cheaper, crack alternative. Both drugs were equally dangerous and deleterious to society yet based upon social class, abusers were punished very differently. Conflict theorists regard crime as a subjective, class-based notion -- hence, an African-American person sitting at a 'whites only' lunch counter was considered a criminal in the south during the 1950s, despite the fact that such a law clearly violated the African-American's constitutional rights. Many actions considered crimes may actually have positive benefits. "Certain types of crime take on a different character. Stealing can be seen as an attempt to take away from the rich…like asocial banditry. Protest-related violence may actually be the start of proto-revolutionary movements, ultimately leading to a worker's revolt and the establishment of a just society" (Greek, 2005, Conflict Theory).

Labeling theory similarly suggests that definitions of crime are used to retain established hegemonies. "[Howard] Becker (1963) criticizes other theories of deviance for accepting the existence of deviance and by doing so, accept the values of the majority within the social group. According to Becker (1963), studying the act of the individual is unimportant because deviance is simply rule-breaking behavior that is labeled deviant by persons in positions of power. The rule breaking behavior is constant; the labeling of the behavior varies" (Greek, 2005, Labeling theory). Why is white collar crime considered less bad than stealing, for example, even if it accomplishes the same ends? And why are corporations given greater leeway in the tax code to hide their assets than ordinary tax payers -- someone who dodges his taxes is caused a cheat; a corporation which moves offshore…