3 Notes in CSE114
theories that holds that those in society who
What is a conflict?
A conflict can be defined as a disagreement or
struggle between two or more individuals or
groups who have incompatible goals, beliefs,
values, or interests. Conflicts can arise in
various contexts, such as personal relationships,
workplace settings, or between different
countries or cultures.
Conflicts can take many forms, ranging from
minor disagreements to violent confrontations.
They can also have different causes, such as
differences in opinions or beliefs, competition
for resources or power, or perceived injustices
or mistreatment.
Effective conflict resolution involves identifying
and addressing the underlying causes of the
conflict, exploring and acknowledging different
perspectives, and finding ways to reach a
mutually beneficial solution.
In criminology, conflict can be defined as a
situation in which there is a disagreement or
struggle between two or more individuals or
groups, in which one or more parties engage in
criminal behavior or activities. These conflicts
can arise over a range of issues, including
access to resources, power, and territory, as
well as ideological or political differences.
Examples of conflicts in criminology may
include gang violence, organized crime
activities, and terrorism. These conflicts can be
characterized by a high level of violence, and
may involve the use of weapons, coercion, and
intimidation to achieve the goals of the
individuals or groups involved.
Effective conflict resolution in criminology
involves identifying the underlying causes of
the conflict, exploring and acknowledging
different perspectives, and finding ways to
reach a mutually beneficial solution. This may
involve strategies such as negotiation,
mediation, and collaboration, as well as the use
of legal and law enforcement interventions to
address criminal behavior and protect public
safety.
What are the different conflict theories?
Conflict theory is a set of criminological
possess the social and economic power, the
ruling class, define antisocial behavior.
Antisocial behavior results from class conflict
and social and economic inequality. The
ruling class uses the criminal law and the
criminal justice system to protect their
interests and to control the lower class.
Conflict theory consists of the conflict
theoretical perspective, the critical
theoretical perspective, and the feminist
theoretical perspective.
There are several different conflict theories, each of
which provides a different perspective on the nature
and causes of conflict. Some of the major conflict
theories include:
1. Marxist theory: This theory emphasizes the
role of economic and class-based factors in
generating conflict. It argues that capitalist
societies are inherently unequal and generate
conflict between the owners of the means of
production and the working class.
Labor strikes and protests against large
corporations can be seen as examples of
conflict generated by economic and
class-based factors. Workers may feel
that their wages and working conditions
are unfair, and may demand greater
control over their labor and the profits
generated by their work.
2. Feminist theory: This theory focuses on the
role of gender-based power dynamics in
generating conflict. It argues that patriarchal
societies are inherently unequal and generate
conflict between men and women.
Gender-based conflicts can take many
forms, such as sexual harassment in the
workplace, gender-based violence, or
unequal access to resources such as
education and healthcare. These
conflicts are often rooted in patriarchal
attitudes and power dynamics that
privilege men over women.
3. Critical race theory: This theory emphasizes
the role of race and racial discrimination in
generating conflict. It argues that societies are
structured in ways that perpetuate racial
inequality and generate conflict between
different racial groups.
Conflicts over racial discrimination and
inequality can take many forms, such as
protests against police violence,
discriminatory hiring practices, or
 unequal access to housing or education.
These conflicts are often rooted in
systemic patterns of racial inequality
that disadvantage people of color.
4. Realist theory: This theory emphasizes the role
of power and national interests in generating
conflict between different countries. It argues
that international relations are inherently
competitive and conflict-prone.
International conflicts can arise over a
range of issues, such as territorial
disputes, access to resources, or
ideological differences. These conflicts
are often rooted in the competition for
power and resources between different
countries, and can be influenced by
factors such as military strength,
economic power, or alliances between
countries.
5. Social identity theory: This theory emphasizes
the role of group identity in generating
conflict. It argues that individuals derive their
sense of self from their group affiliations, and
that conflicts can arise when individuals
perceive their group as being threatened by
other groups.
Conflicts between different groups, such
as religious groups, ethnic groups, or
political factions, can arise over a range
of issues. These conflicts may be rooted
in perceived threats to group identity or
status, and can be exacerbated by
factors such as stereotyping, prejudice,
and discrimination. For example,
conflicts between different political
factions in a country may arise from a
sense of competition for resources and
power, as well as from differences in
ideological beliefs and values.
Each of these theories offers a different perspective on
the nature and causes of conflict, and can be useful in
understanding and addressing different types of
conflicts in different contexts.
Case Study 1: Marxist Theory
A case study related to Marxist theory of conflict can
be the 2012 Marikana mine massacre in South Africa.
In August 2012, around 3,000 miners at the Lonmin
platinum mine in Marikana went on strike, demanding
higher wages and better working conditions. The
miners, who were predominantly black and from poor
rural areas, were working for a company that was
largely owned by foreign investors and wealthy South
Africans.
The strike quickly turned violent, with clashes between
striking miners, mine security personnel, and police
officers. On August 16, police opened fire on a group
of striking miners, killing 34 people and injuring
dozens more. The incident sparked widespread
outrage and protests across the country, and led to a
national commission of inquiry into the events leading
up to the massacre.
The Marikana mine massacre can be seen as an
example of conflict generated by economic and class-
based factors, as described by Marxist theory. The
miners, who were largely from poor backgrounds and
had limited economic and social opportunities, were
demanding better wages and working conditions from
a company that was largely owned by wealthy
investors and elites. The violent clash between the
miners, mine security, and police officers can be seen
as a result of the power dynamics and inequalities
inherent in this economic and social system, in which
the interests of the working class are pitted against
those of the wealthy and powerful.
Assignment:
1. How was this case resolved?
Case Study 2: Feminist Theory
A case study related to feminist theory of conflict can
be the #MeToo movement that emerged in 2017 in
the United States and quickly spread to other
countries around the world. The movement was
sparked by a series of allegations of sexual
harassment and assault against Hollywood producer
Harvey Weinstein, which were brought to light by a
group of female journalists and activists.
The #MeToo movement quickly gained momentum,
as thousands of women shared their own stories of
harassment and abuse on social media using the
hashtag #MeToo. The movement also led to the
resignation or firing of several high-profile individuals
in the entertainment, media, and political industries
who were accused of misconduct.
The #MeToo movement can be seen as an example of
conflict generated by gender-based power dynamics
and inequalities, as described by feminist theory. The
movement highlighted the pervasive nature of sexual
harassment and assault in many industries and
institutions, as well as the ways in which women's
voices and experiences have been silenced and
marginalized. The movement also called for broader
societal and cultural changes to address these issues,
including greater accountability for perpetrators,
better support for survivors, and more inclusive and
equitable workplaces and communities.
Overall, the #MeToo movement has had a significant
impact on public awareness and discourse around
issues of gender-based violence and inequality.
However, as with other social movements, there has
been some criticism and debate about the
effectiveness and limitations of the movement, as well
as the ways in which it has been co-opted or
misrepresented by different actors and interests.
Assignment:
2. What are the actions done in response to this
case?
Case Study 3: Critical Race Theory
A case study related to critical race theory (CRT) can
be the killing of George Floyd by police officer Derek
Chauvin in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in May 2020. The
incident sparked widespread protests and outrage
across the United States and around the world,
highlighting the pervasive issue of police violence and
systemic racism in law enforcement and other
institutions.
Critical race theory, which originated in legal studies,
is a framework that examines how race and racism are
embedded in social, political, and economic structures
and institutions, and how they intersect with other
forms of oppression and discrimination. CRT
emphasizes the role of power dynamics and historical
legacies of oppression in shaping contemporary racial
disparities and inequities.
The killing of George Floyd and the subsequent
protests can be seen as a manifestation of the
systemic racism and police violence that CRT seeks to
address. The incident also highlighted the ways in
which Black communities and other marginalized
groups are disproportionately impacted by police
brutality and other forms of state violence. The
protests and calls for justice that followed were fueled
by a deep sense of frustration and anger at the
continued perpetuation of racial injustice and
inequality.
The case also illustrates the limitations and challenges
of addressing issues of racial inequality and
discrimination within existing institutions and systems,
as many have called for more fundamental reforms
and systemic changes to address these issues.
Additionally, the case has sparked a broader
conversation and debate about the role of law
enforcement and the justice system in perpetuating
racial oppression and inequality, and the need for
alternative approaches to public safety and
community well-being.
Overall, the killing of George Floyd and the protests
that followed have galvanized a broader movement
for racial justice and equity, drawing on CRT and other
critical perspectives to address the underlying
structural and institutional issues that perpetuate
racial inequality and oppression. However, as with
other social movements, there has been significant
resistance and backlash to these efforts, highlighting
the ongoing challenges and complexities of
addressing issues of race and racism in contemporary
society.
Assignment:
3. How to address the issue of discrimination?
Case Study 4: Realist Theory
One example of a case study that can be
analyzed using the realist theory in criminology
is the War on Drugs initiated by the United
States in the 1970s. The War on Drugs was a
set of policies and initiatives aimed at reducing
drug use and drug-related crime in the US, and
it involved a variety of measures such as
increased law enforcement, tougher sentencing
laws, and international drug interdiction efforts.
According to the realist theory, crime and other
social problems are the result of individual
choices and behaviors, and the primary role of
the criminal justice system is to deter criminal
behavior through the threat of punishment.
Realists argue that crime can only be reduced
through aggressive law enforcement and harsh
punishment, and they prioritize the use of
police and the criminal justice system to
control crime.
In the case of the War on Drugs, realist
theorists might argue that the initiative was
necessary in order to deter drug use and drug-
related crime. They might point to the increase
in drug-related violence and other crimes in
the 1960s and 1970s as evidence of the need
for a more aggressive approach to drug
enforcement. They might also argue that the
harsh sentencing laws and other measures
implemented as part of the War on Drugs were
necessary to deter drug users and dealers from
engaging in criminal behavior.
However, critics of the War on Drugs, including
many scholars in the field of criminology, argue
that the initiative was ineffective and had a
number of negative consequences. They point
to the massive increase in incarceration rates in
the US as a result of the War on Drugs, as well
as the disproportionate impact of drug laws on
communities of color and other marginalized
groups. Critics also argue that the focus on law
enforcement and punishment did little to
address the underlying social and economic
issues that contribute to drug use and drug-
related crime.

Overall, the case of the War on Drugs provides

a useful example of how the realist theory can
be applied to an issue in criminology, and how
the application of this theory can have
significant policy implications.

Assignment:
4. Is the war on drugs using the realist theory
approach effective?

Case 4: Social Identity Theory

The New People's Army (NPA) struggle in the

Philippines can be analyzed through the lens of
social identity theory. The NPA is a communist
guerrilla group that has been fighting the
Philippine government since the late 1960s,
with the goal of establishing a socialist state.

Social identity theory suggests that people

derive their sense of self-worth from the
groups to which they belong, and that these
group identities can become deeply ingrained
and polarized over time. In the case of the NPA,
members are motivated by a collective identity
as communist revolutionaries, with a shared
ideology and commitment to social and
economic equality.

The conflict between the NPA and the

Philippine government is fueled by a deep-
seated sense of identity and loyalty to each
respective group, as well as broader social and
political inequalities that underlie the struggle
for power and resources in the country.

To address the NPA conflict, efforts have been

made to address the underlying social and
economic grievances that contribute to the
group's support base, as well as to promote
peaceful negotiation and dialogue to find a
political solution to the conflict. However, the
NPA continues to operate in some parts of the
country and remains a significant challenge to
the Philippine government and society.

Assignment:
5. What has been done to resolve the NPA conflict?