Under the conflict view of crime, which group is described as holding power?

• A. The Rich
• B. The Poor
• C. The Police
• D. The Victims

Answer: (A)

In the conflict view, power is concentrated in those who control wealth and the institutions that shape laws and enforcement. The wealthy hold that power because they can influence legislation, finance political processes, and hire top legal defenses, which means laws and policing often protect their interests. As a result, crimes that threaten property or profit tend to be defined and punished in ways that favor them, while behaviors by less powerful groups are more likely to be criminalized. The poor and victims do not have that level of influence, and the police are instruments of enforcement rather than power holders in this view. So, the group described as holding power is the rich.