From the sociology of deviation to the critical criminology: The indigenous people of Mato Grosso do Sul State as outsiders

Abstract

This paper examines some of the main theories about stigmatization, deviance, marginalization and criminalization, and submits the situation of the indigenous peoples in Mato Grosso do Sul to a brief analysis according to these theories. In first part, it deals with the sociological approaches of Goffman, Becker and Elias, who point out the reasons and effects of stigmatization, labelling and marginalization and explain elementary features of the relationship between established people and outsiders. In the second part, it discusses the phenomenon of criminalization and the selectivity the of criminal justice system from the point of view of critical criminology. Finally, it seeks to identify the labelling, stigmatization, marginalization and criminalization of indigenous people in Mato Grosso do Sul in the light of the fundamental concepts of the theses dealt with in the first two parts of the text.

Keywords: critical criminology, stigma, indigenous people, sociology of power relations, sociology of deviance.