Final answer:
The theory most relevant for studying how race and class have shaped drug laws in the United States and the current inequalities in their administration is conflict theory.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theory that would be MOST relevant for studying how race and class have shaped drug laws in the United States and the current inequalities in their administration is conflict theory.
Conflict theory views society as a competition for scarce resources with different groups in society having conflicting interests and power dynamics. In the context of drug laws, conflict theory would argue that the laws are shaped by the interests and power of certain racial and economic groups, leading to racial and class inequalities in their implementation and outcomes.
For example, conflict theory would analyze how drug laws were historically influenced by racist ideologies and policies, targeting minority communities disproportionately. It would also explore how the enforcement and sentencing of drug offenses are unequally applied based on race and socioeconomic status, resulting in disparate outcomes and perpetuating social inequalities.
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