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The neglected nuance of Beccaria’s theory of punishment

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  • Mark D. White

    (College of Staten Island)

Abstract

Cesare Beccaria is widely acknowledged by the pioneers of the economics of crime as an important influence on their work, especially in terms of deterrence and proportionality of punishment. However, there is much more nuance to Beccaria’s writings that economists can learn from, including a unique psychological point of view that predates behavioral law-and-economics, as well as aspects of his prescriptions regarding criminal penalties that resemble retributivism, a theory of punishment often contrasted with deterrence. A deeper appreciation of Beccaria’s work may result in a richer and more humanistic economic approach to crime.

Suggested Citation

  • Mark D. White, 2018. "The neglected nuance of Beccaria’s theory of punishment," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 46(3), pages 315-329, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:ejlwec:v:46:y:2018:i:3:d:10.1007_s10657-016-9530-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s10657-016-9530-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gary S. Becker, 1974. "Crime and Punishment: An Economic Approach," NBER Chapters, in: Essays in the Economics of Crime and Punishment, pages 1-54, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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    4. Mark D. White, 2015. "Retributivist Justice and Dignity: Finding a Role for Economics in Criminal Justice," Perspectives from Social Economics, in: Mark D. White (ed.), Law and Social Economics, chapter 0, pages 77-96, Palgrave Macmillan.
    5. Hume, David, 1739. "A Treatise of Human Nature (I) Of the Understanding," History of Economic Thought Books, McMaster University Archive for the History of Economic Thought, volume 1, number hume1739.
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    7. Polinsky, Mitchell & Shavell, Steven, 1979. "The Optimal Tradeoff between the Probability and Magnitude of Fines," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 69(5), pages 880-891, December.
    8. Young, David B., 1983. "Cesare Beccaria: Utilitarian or retributivist?," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 11(4), pages 317-326.
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    Cited by:

    1. Gilles Grolleau & Murat C. Mungan & Naoufel Mzoughi, 2024. "Punishment menus and their deterrent effects: an exploratory analysis," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 58(1), pages 1-19, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Cesare Beccaria; Gary Becker; Punishment; Economics of crime; Deterrence; Retributivism; Psychology; Philosophy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • K14 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law - - - Criminal Law
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • A13 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Relation of Economics to Social Values

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