The Radical View
• AKA, critical, Marxist, etc.
• The problem of crime stems from the very nature of capitalism.
– It is an inherently unequal and immoral system
• This view begins with the idea that capitalist societies are characterized by conflict – between classes (e.g., labor vs. management), races (black vs. white) and gender.
• Inequality is created and perpetuated by the capitalist system, largely because profits do not “trickle down” very far.
• Radicals see the role of government is not neutral but a system that mostly supports the capitalist system and those who benefit from it.
• Even the liberal Obama administration, according to this view, is trying to save capitalism
• Same thing happened during the Roosevelt administration of the 1930s with the New Deal
• Marx was one of the earliest critics of capitalism
• a system that exploits workers for the benefit of the owners.
The Liberal View
• Liberalism’s roots are in the Enlightenment of the 18th century (John Locke and others)
• These people began to reject many of the prevailing views of the period, such as the “divine right of Kings,” hereditary status, etc.
• The Declaration of Independence was a liberal document that declared “all men are created equal”
• Liberals believe that the free enterprise system benefits a small minority, which in turn has created a huge gap in income and wealth
• People are disadvantaged because of problems with the system of free enterprise
• Liberals see plenty of flaws in the system and therefore support the use of tax dollars for various social programs in terms of education, work, housing, health concerns and so on.
• They support greater involvement of the government sponsored and a different use of tax dollars.
• The goal of government is to provide for the general welfare of society or the “common good.”
• This was the philosophy being the “New Deal” created by the Roosevelt administration during the 1930s where tax dollars were spread out much more evenly among the population.
• Programs such as Social Security and the G.I. Bill were among the most popular.
The Conservative View
• Conservatism – comes from Latin word conservare which means to "save" or "preserve.”
• Supports “tradition” and the “status quo.”
• Prefers the existing order of society.
• Opposes efforts to bring about rapid or fundamental change
• Existing economic and political inequalities are justified
• Belief in the “free market” and limited government intervention
• Most problems (crime, etc.) caused by individuals or groups of individuals who seem unable to succeed within the overall system
• They make bad or irrational choices (it is assumed everyone has free will) which in turn put them in problematic circumstances.
• Best solutions are to cut taxes on the rich and/or corporations which is supposed to give them incentives to create jobs.
• The use of tax dollars to develop “social programs” or otherwise assist the general public is to be avoided whenever possible.
• Size of the government should be minimized.
• Success can be achieved mainly through hard work
• There is a strong belief in “rugged individualism”
Hope this helps :)
