Perceptions of Crime in Capitalist America: The Question of Consciousness Manipulation

Abstract

This paper reports research designed to assess a conflict interpretation of public consensus on the seriousness of different types of crimes. Earlier studies report that the degree of such agreement is extensive. It is suggested that, while this supports a consensus model of criminal law, it challenges the conflict model. However, that proponents of the latter suggest this consensus in a capitalist society is not surprising. It exists because the powerful, by dominating criminal justice, are able to manipulate the powerless to believe definitions of crime which support the interests of the powerful. This consciousness manipulation hypothesis is examined in a class-stratified sample which was asked to rate the seriousness of and suggest appropriate penalties for a number of person, property, political, white collar, victimless, and public order offenses. Little evidence of manipulation is found. The implications of these findings for false consciousness and public policy issues are discussed.