A Critical Analysis Of Nils Christie's Conflicts As Property

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While conflict can be difficult to solve and appear detrimental to the progress of society, their presence plays a foundational role within the structure of communities. Society would not be complete without some sort of internal struggle, whether inhabitants acknowledge it or not. Nils Christie, the author of an article “Conflicts as Property” has a firm belief that conflict’s purpose within society is beneficial, contesting the standpoints of modern law. Throughout this critical analysis, Christie’s main topics will be examined and furthered reinforced by comparing them to the beliefs of members of society, namely myself, regarding to modern law. To investigate the premise of Christie’s viewpoints, the article’s main ideas will be discussed, …show more content…

In the interest of solving a problem efficiently, the jurors who determine the outcome of a conflict should be limited to only the individuals directly involved. Lawyers typically tend to take control of criminal scenarios which is reinforced by ‘leaving it to the professionals’, a view in which I contest. Christie describes the lawyers as “professional thieves” While considering the professionalism and experience of lawyers, lawyers would better serve the people is they obtained from ignoring their own clientele’s voices. In relation to modern law, the cases transitions over time to disregard the presence of one of the parties, the defendant or the victim, in favour of involving the state. I agree with Christie’s statement because the role of the law is settle disputes. The lawyers are defending or prosecuting the individuals involved in the case through advising and explanations. Through this process, the victim’s do not get to express their opinions in court unless they are on the stand testifying. Proactively, the lawyers take the conflict into their hands as they solve the conflict for the individual. I wholeheartedly agree with Christie’s points related to modern law and believe that he emphasis the same beliefs as me regarding conflict

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