Conflict Theory

Conflict theory is why deviance arises due to unequal distribution of wealth/power in society. Conflict theory goes hand in hand with how different social statuses are treated when a member chooses to be deviant. An example of differences in deviance treatment would be when celebrities or powerful politicians are caught breaking the law or standing by a value that goes against society, those people have the power and wealth to metaphorically erase the wrong they did, when middle to lower class people typically have to suffer full repercussions for their actions.

A great entry from the class was by Dylan Watts, it reads:

"I believe the strongest theory of deviance is the conflict theory.  The conflict theory is the idea that deviance results from the unequal distribution of wealth/ power within society and overall social inequality.  The conflict theory also states that, "elite deviance and corporate deviance go largely unrecognized and unpunished", which in my opinion, couldn't be more true.  When people have the money and power to cover up their deviance they are hardly held accountable for their actions.  An example of this that I see often in the news/media is when famous singers, actors/actresses, and athletes are caught breaking the law.  They quickly buy their way out of trouble.  They have the money/power to pay for their deviance and rarely do they actually receive punishment for their actions.  Regardless of how morally wrong this is, it is very prominent in society, making the conflict theory the strongest theory of deviance (Watts)."

 -This scholarly article is about how conflict theory works in families. It is interesting to see how something that is typically affiliated on a grand scale can be used in such intimate settings.
http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/rev/118/3/496/

-The next scholarly article illustrates how conflict theory works in international grand scaled projects. It is interesting and important to see the roles and views countries have of one another when it comes to power and expertise.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0263786311000524

This video has some images of actual riots that arose due to inequality in society, whether it was wealth, power, or unjust politics, problems occurred.

Here are two different sites that discuss conflict theory.

-The first site is a basic overview and origins of the term "conflict theory."
http://sociology.about.com/od/Sociological-Theory/a/Conflict-Theory.htm

-The second site discusses how conflict theory "trickles down" throughout society.
http://conflicttheory.com/

This video demonstrates how status, power, and wealth can be used in the legal system when an average person would not be able to post bail that high and probably not be able to afford a lawyer that can negotiate that well.