Conflict Theory

The book defines  conflict theory as a theoretical perspective that emphasizes the role of power and coercion in producing social order.  When we began our readings, this topic immediately jumped out at me as one I wanted to focus on for my blog.  When I was growing up, I was the target of bullying.  I then married a very controlling first husband.  I am now married to a police officer, and his job is to maintain social order. Through years of counselling, reading books and talking to several people, I found the premise of conflict theory fascinating.  I am amazed at people and groups using intimidation and fear to control others.

I think this link is a good representation of how conflict theory evolves.
http://www.epjournal.net/wp-content/uploads/ep07208233.pdf

The mafia is the accurate symbol of the conflict theory.  There have been countless movies and television shows depicting the mafia.  They are seen as bullies, who use scare tactics and intimidation to get what they want.  These tactics often include beatings and even murder. They make people fall in line and do what they want because they are fearful of the repercussions if they don't.

Although the exact origins of the mafia are a little sketchy, it is thought that its early days began in the 1860's in Sicily, Italy.  Italy annexed Sicily, redistributed the land to private citizens and removed their armies from the island.  With more property owners, there were more disputes that needed settling, contracts to enforce and properties to protect.  There were only about 350 law enforcement officers for the entire island.  Some cities were only visited by police every few months.  Property owners turned to people outside the law to arbitrate disputes and protection.  These people eventually organized themselves into the first Mafia clan.  They use threats of violence to protect their clients from fraud, thieves, and competitors.

This is a very interesting YouTube video on the mafia and its code of conduct.

I liked this article in the Smithsonian because it gives an in depth look at the mafia and a society that once looked at them as the only people they could trust.  It shows their struggle to break free from their controllers.
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/people-places/In-Sicily-Defying-the-Mafia.html

This site has a vast amount of information on different aspects of conflict theory.
http://conflicttheory.com/

The FBI site gives a lot of background information on the mafia, different families and links to other related topics.  I found it very helpful.
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/organizedcrime/italian_mafia

“Men make their own history, but they do not make it just as they please; they do not make it under circumstances chosen by themselves, but under circumstances directly encountered, given and transmitted from the past. The tradition of all the dead generations weighs like a nightmare on the brain of the living.” 
― Karl Marx

References

Conflict Theory (n.d.). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conflict_theory

Sicilian Mafia (n.d.). Retrieved from  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicilian_Mafia