Community Change, Community Stasis, and the Law

摘要: A useful starting point for consideration of law and community psychology is to pose a literary existential question: why should handbook on have chapter law? I suspect that the initial (and perhaps only) answer comes minds most psychologists represents means change. One strategy psychologist can stimulate when class people mistreated “sue bastards.” Indeed, if conventional wisdom be believed empirical data suggest in this matter it not; see Galanter, 1983; Trubek. 1984), predominant American response interpersonal conflict resort litigation. In popular lore, Perry Mason; Judge Wapner (or his successor, mayor-turned-TV-judge Ed Koch); litigators at McKenzie, Brackman; recently, spate dramatic prosecutors public defenders are referees in, sometimes initiators of, social conflict–the bearers “big stick” who will ensure justice triumphs. Play political arena may limited those with numbers bucks big enough noticed, but power (so image goes) there exercised by he right, not necessarily privileged. The courts theoretically offer an even playing field which all actors, regardless their wealth or other arenas, empowered defend promote interests