Marxist Theory,War on Drugs ect

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Marx 's Conflict Theory , Public Policy and the War on Drugs

According to the German theorist and political activist Karl Marx (1818-1883 , conflict theory promoted the competition of individuals and groups for wealth and power (http /www94 .homepage .villanova .edu Marx added that this rivalry was the fundamental process shaping social structure (http /www94 .homepage .villanova .edu ) Hence , if used in the context of criminology , the conflict theory argued that crime was brought about by conflicting social and economic forces within a society (http

/www .criminology .fsu .edu ) The criminal justice system was composed of the elite , who created policies that restrained the poor (http /www .criminology .fsu .edu ) As a result , crime was defined as harm or threat of harm to the powerful (http /www .umsl .edu ) Laws existed to protect ' the rich from the poor (http /www .criminology .fsu .edu ) Furthermore , the poor received stiffer penalties for wrongdoing compared to the rich (http /www .criminology .fsu .edu

The US Constitution is an example of a public policy that was consistent with the conflict theory . Critics asserted that it was written mostly by property-owning individuals that was well-represented in Philadelphia - a faction whose interests largely differ from those who owned little or nothing at all (Ollman , n . pag . Therefore , it was no longer surprising if slavery , poverty and the absence of women 's rights remained very rampant long after the United States secured independence from England . Another example would be labor unions , but it is one with positive consequences . Labor unions were formed to protect the rights of ordinary workers from unscrupulous employers Through labor unions , workers , particularly in industrialized countries enjoyed decent wages , sufficient benefits , safe working conditions and the opportunity for career advancement

The control theory , formulated by Dr . William Glasser , M .D , attested that human choices and behaviors are based on six basic needs - survival , power , love , belonging , freedom and fun (http /raider .muc .edu ) Hence , human beings adapt their demeanor in accordance to their needs (http /www .funderstanding .com ) US President George Bush 's War on Terrorism ' is a public policy that is consistent with the control theory . In to gain unlimited access to Middle East , North Sea and Caspian oil reserves , Bush declared war on Afghanistan and Iraq under the guise of fighting terrorism ' He saw that war was necessary for the US to be able to have unlimited access to the world 's major oil sources . He controlled his behavior by using the concept of defeating terrorism as a justification to the war he waged The Geneva Conventions (1864 , 1882 , 1929 and 1949 ) are examples of a public policy consistent with the control theory , but with a positive effect . The Geneva Conventions addressed the needs for survival and freedom . Hence , they outlined provisions that focused on protecting civilians , sick and injured soldiers and medical personnel in times of war

The United States ' War on Drugs ' failed primarily because 45 of those who were arrested and imprisoned on...