Sociology Discussion

The reply to a sociology discussion:

The basic premise of labeling theory is the assumption that society creates deviance by negatively identifying and naming those who are held as different from others, and any following interactions are influenced by the meaning and perception of the labels given to people. There are two kinds of deviant acts: primary and secondary. Primary deviates are the initial deviant acts that bring on the first social response. These acts do not affect the individual’s self-concept. It is the “secondary deviations,” the acts that follow the societal response to the primary deviation that are of major concern (Freda Adler, 2013). Primary deviance is the reason people break the rules, secondary deviance is the reaction to being labeled after the rules are broken.

            In the conflict theory, it is viewed as a social order that is maintained by domination and power whether it is by a small group, an organization or people in position of authority. Conflict theory holds that the people who possess the power work to keep the powerless at a disadvantage (Freda Adler, 2013). Those that have the wealth and power will try to hold on to it by any means possible including suppressing the poor and the powerless. It is a struggle between social class, democracy, and civil rights.  

            In the radical theory, it is believed economic hardship is the main argument of why crimes are committed. Friedrich Engels spelled out the association between crime and poverty as a political problem: The earliest, crudest, and least fruitful form of this rebellion was that of crime. The working man lived in poverty and want, and saw that others were better off than he… Want conquered his inherited respect for the sacredness of property and he stole (Freda Adler, 2013). Karl Marx believes capitalism breeds egocentricity, greed, and predatory behavior; but the worst crime of all is the exploitation of workers (Freda Adler, 2013). Although capitalism has changed over the years, the wealth and income gaps between the two classes is as great or greater than ever (Ollman, n.d.)

            The tragedy that occurred during the Kent State University protest is a prime example of the above theories. Students protested for equal rights for minorities, women’s liberation, love and peace. When the Vietnam War started, students began to protest the involvement of the United States between the conflict of North and South Vietnam. When President Nixon declared additional troops were needed, students responded with protest including burning the ROTC building. The students were fed up with the war in which many of our young people were killed, yet, the government wanted more. Creedence Clearwater Revival, a rock group of that era, stated in the song they wrote, “And when you ask them, “How much should we give?” Ooh, they only answer, More! More! More!." While burning the ROTC building was a drastic show of protest, was the National Guard justified in shooting and killing some protestors that were unarmed? But most importantly, who had the power to give such orders?

Works Cited

Freda Adler, G. O. (2013). Criminology. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Ollman, B. (n.d.). Dialectical Marxism. Retrieved from New York University: www.nyu.edu