Beccaria endorsed what philosophy of criminal punishment?

Beccaria endorsed what philosophy of criminal punishment?

• A. Proportional, swift, and certain to deter future offense
• B. Retributive justice
• C. Rehabilitation-focused
• D. Restorative justice

Answer: (A)

Beccaria argued that punishment should deter crime by being certain, swift, and proportional to the offense. He reasoned that people make rational choices and weigh costs and benefits; when punishment is certain and promptly applied, the link between crime and consequence is clear, making offending less attractive. Proportionality keeps penalties in line with the seriousness of the crime and avoids brutal measures that undermine justice, while the swiftness of punishment strengthens its deterrent effect. He also criticized torture and the death penalty as ineffective deterrents and unjust. This focus on deterrence through timely, certain, and proportionate punishment sets it apart from approaches centered on revenge (retribution), reform of the offender (rehabilitation), or repairing harm through broad restorative practices.

Beccaria argued that punishment should deter crime by being certain, swift, and proportional to the offense. He reasoned that people make rational choices and weigh costs and benefits; when punishment is certain and promptly applied, the link between crime and consequence is clear, making offending less attractive. Proportionality keeps penalties in line with the seriousness of the crime and avoids brutal measures that undermine justice, while the swiftness of punishment strengthens its deterrent effect. He also criticized torture and the death penalty as ineffective deterrents and unjust. This focus on deterrence through timely, certain, and proportionate punishment sets it apart from approaches centered on revenge (retribution), reform of the offender (rehabilitation), or repairing harm through broad restorative practices.