ABSTRACT
This chapter indicates how current thoughts and trends in the sociological study of crime can culminate in a theory of crime. The chapter presents — the theory of the social reality of crime — that rests upon theoretical and methodological assumptions that reflect the happenings of our time; it is meant to provide an understanding of crime that is relevant to our contemporary experiences. It proposes a certain assumptions about theoretical explanation: these assumptions are in regards to: ontology, epistemology, causation, and theory construction. The chapter explains that the theory of crime, however, is based on the dynamic perspective about man and society: process, conflict, power, and social action. Crime is seen as a result of a process which culminates in the defining of persons and behaviors as criminal. Criminal definitions are formulated according to the interests of those segments (types of social groupings) of society which have the power to translate their interests into public policy.
