Explanation
Rooted in the work of Karl Marx, Conflict Theory emphasizes that social order is maintained not through consensus but through domination. Laws and institutions reflect the interests of powerful groups and are used to suppress the less powerful. In criminology, this perspective argues that crime results from social inequality and that legal systems serve to protect elite interests.
Theoretical Reference
Conflict Theory forms a cornerstone of Critical Criminology and contrasts with consensus-based models like Functionalism. It provides a structural explanation of crime, highlighting the links between poverty, marginalization, and criminalization.