Discussion Question - Essay Example

Beccaria’s Ideas According to my point of view, Beccaria’s ideas are primarily about punishment and it also drives his theory of crime.According to him, the effectiveness of criminal justice system is determined by the certainty of punishment. The reason for this belief is that crime is a rational choice and therefore, only swift and sure punishment would prevent individuals from committing crime. The most significant factor is the method of punishment rather than its severity; and it punishment should be considered as a means to defend social contract.

He does not think that capital punishment is an effective method to prevent crime as it does not have any continuing effect on human spirit. He is against the view that punishment should be equal to the offence committed because the objective of punishment is not revenge. Punishment is relevant only if it corrects the offender and increases social cohesion and happiness. Attempt to combat crime would find success only if punishment prevents criminal from repeating the offence and deters others from committing crime.

Beccaria insists on the swiftness of punishment because he thinks that crime and punishment should be closely associated with each other. If an immediate punishment follows each crime, it would deter people from committing crime.