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
The conflicts belonging to these activist groups were that court cases were not being carried through, and abuse victims would often not utilize their free will to make decisions that benefited them. The activists essentially gave this conflict away by challenging and inspiring changes in the laws. With change and the ability to have victim’s conflicts taken away from them there is an increase in hope for justice, or legal action to be taken against spouses who commit physical abuse. One could argue that this exchange as well as theft of conflict, is in essence positive because it protects individuals as a result. This example and perspective demonstrates that a conflict can be viewed as a property; however that may not be necessary.
The Consensus Perspective could suggest that we can rely on greater powers to take care of outcomes. In assessing through a consensus perspective one may view the exchange of properties as positive because they could trust in the law. The Consensus Perspective of law would point out that law serves for the common good among people in society; that laws formed are in the interest of the benefit and protection of the population as a whole. If we can rely on the legal system to choose properly how to maintain harmony, then why view conflicts as personal property and be concerned with the theft of them? In the example of laws pertaining to domestic violence one can see that more