How would conflict theory explain the phenomenon of racial profiling in America?

Running Head : Conflict Theory

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Introduction

Conflict theory was pioneered by the famous theorist known as Karl Marx but several theorists such as Marx Weber began to develop the theory The theory is usually used in explanation of conflict that is experienced in social classes , or explaining conflict that exist in ideologies . Basically , this theory reveals the ways through which the elite and those who have power in the society seek to remain in that same rank

Conflict theory seeks to address

the major problem of inequality that exists in the society . This social inequality is brought about by stiff struggle for more valuable goods , power and respect as well as services which are in constant short supply

Racial profiling as practiced in America is a situation whereby those in authority goes to an extend of using race factor in arresting the citizens , who they suspect are breaking the law for instance , a state traffic police may arrest a driver on the ground that he is an African American . Racial profiling has become a major issue to address in America and ways of challenging it have been put in place . Some of these ways include use of litigation whereby all the citizens should be made to understand that equal protection is guaranteed by any state to any person who is within its jurisdiction Lilly , Cullen Allen , 2006 There is also use of lobbying in legislation and educating the public on the immorality and inefficiency of racial profiling

Conflict theory can be used to explain the phenomenon of racial profiling in America in the sense that , there exist conflicts in conflict theory (Cullen Agnew , 2006 .For instance , there is a conflict of race and that of ethnicity . This is whereby people are segregated on the grounds of race and ethnicity . For instance a certain race or ethnicity may be having more prestige , more education or more power and hence therefore , this race or ethnicity is regarded or considered to be better . This arouses conflict within different races and ethnic groups This is witnessed in racial profiling where race is used to determine those who are bound to be suspected as a drug abusers or traffic rule breakers

There is also a conflict of class in conflict theory , whereby there exists a low rank and a high rank . This suggests that a particular group and ideally that in the high rank will be having more power than the group in the lower rank . Therefore , conflict between the two groups is witnessed as the lowest group tries to search for equal protection and exercise of power . In racial profiling , most white people are on the higher ranks , despite the many learned black people who are still on the lower ranks . The few who are on the higher ranks and working as prosecutors , lawyers and state legislators have experienced a lot of racial profiling . This creates conflict between the two social classes

Revolution as an assumption of conflict theory stresses...