Criminological Perspectives On Conflict Theory

On April 15, 2013, American society was forever impacted by a tragedy that sent shockwaves through the nation. For on that day, a heinous crime that came to be known as the Boston Marathon Bombing was committed by two brothers, Tamerlan and Dzhokhar and Tsarnaev. A plan they had carefully conceived and planned was put into place, causing death, panic, terror and destruction and scarring the nation indelibly. The attack, which took place in Boston, Massachusetts during an iconic American race, was motivated by a pledge of allegiance to Islamist extremism fueled by political and personal grievances. It was carried out through the use of pressure cookers as Improvised Explosive Devices which resulted in the deaths of three and injuries to more
307-308). After years of attempting to achieve success (and in Tamerlan’s case, notoriety and fame), multiple failures and lack of purpose led to bitterness and personal and political grievances that in turn led to radicalization and a violent, criminal act.
Conflict Theory Of all the criminological theories covered and examined throughout the duration of this course, Conflict Theory explains offers the best explanation as to why the Boston Marathon Bombing was committed. Conflict Theory helps best to explain why the crime occurred because it is based upon on groups in society in constant struggle for power and authority (Vold, Bernard, Snipes, 2002 p. 229). The criminological theory was based on concepts first developed by the ideology of Karl Marx and then further influenced and worked upon by Thorsten Sellin, George Vold, Ralf Dahrendorf, and eventually Austin Turk, though all four men had
American society, rooted in immigration and a culture influenced by so many differing ideas, seems in some ways to be the place that conflict theory should be proven least often since most residents can always find someone with whom they can identify. However, that same society can also exacerbate feelings of alienation because it values economic success above all else. Obviously, this is something not all members can achieve. Tamerlan had once had hoped to achieve success in America but proved unable to assimilate. This, combined with the emotional and mental challenges and violent tendencies Tamerlan possessed, led to political and personal grievances which in turn led to radicalization. Dzhokhar, less angry and violent by nature, proved to be just pliable enough to be convinced by his older brother that he too should be angry at a society that treated him unfairly, and that he should join the cause. Conflict Theory explains the motivation for the Tsarnaev brothers’ discontent, separation from society, and resulting criminal