Nils Christie, Conflict as Property - a Brief Examination Through the Example of Domestic Violence Laws
Fall Commentary Assignment-LAWS 1000BProfessor: Stephen Tasson – TA: Noel Gondek Due Date: October 26, 2012 | Nils Christie, Conflict as Property - A Brief Examination Through The Example of Domestic Violence Laws | |
Sabrina Bellefeuille, Carleton University (student number: 100911284) |
Nils Christie educates society on the concept of viewing conflicts as property and the ways in which this has impacted individuals and the legal system. It is the position of this essay that one can agree with Christie in the perception that conflicts can be viewed as property. Christie’s view as necessary or essential is debatable and will be further explored throughout the essay. Through the example of laws pertaining to domestic violence, within the city of Ottawa, in Canada, this essay will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of Christie’s view, as well as demonstrate it. The ways in which professionals in the area of law can be perceived as “professional thieves” will also be discussed to further validate the concept of conflict as property.
In order to examine the argument and perspective of Nils Christie, one must understand what he is implying. In summary; his viewpoint is that conflict is detrimental to the growth of a society and even more so, that individuals have lost their rights to participate in their own resolutions. He believes that conflicts are hidden, stolen, and the important values of them are overlooked. He highly believes that individuals own their conflicts such as one would own property. Christie explains that these properties are stolen by law; therefore individuals no longer own them. He validates this point through explaining that often a conflict is transformed into being an offence against a state rather than against an individual. Christie views the judiciary system and professionals in law as “professional thieves” (Christie, Conflicts as Property, pg. 10). He believes that law depersonalizes resolutions and
Sabrina Bellefeuille, Carleton University (student number: 100911284) |
Nils Christie educates society on the concept of viewing conflicts as property and the ways in which this has impacted individuals and the legal system. It is the position of this essay that one can agree with Christie in the perception that conflicts can be viewed as property. Christie’s view as necessary or essential is debatable and will be further explored throughout the essay. Through the example of laws pertaining to domestic violence, within the city of Ottawa, in Canada, this essay will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of Christie’s view, as well as demonstrate it. The ways in which professionals in the area of law can be perceived as “professional thieves” will also be discussed to further validate the concept of conflict as property.
In order to examine the argument and perspective of Nils Christie, one must understand what he is implying. In summary; his viewpoint is that conflict is detrimental to the growth of a society and even more so, that individuals have lost their rights to participate in their own resolutions. He believes that conflicts are hidden, stolen, and the important values of them are overlooked. He highly believes that individuals own their conflicts such as one would own property. Christie explains that these properties are stolen by law; therefore individuals no longer own them. He validates this point through explaining that often a conflict is transformed into being an offence against a state rather than against an individual. Christie views the judiciary system and professionals in law as “professional thieves” (Christie, Conflicts as Property, pg. 10). He believes that law depersonalizes resolutions and
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