Discussion Questions

1. Cesare Beccaria argued that crime could be deterred through punishment that was swift, severe, and certain. Can you think of other strategies that might deter criminal behavior? What has worked at controlling your behavior either in the past or presently?

2. If Cesare Beccaria were alive today, what would he say about our modern criminal justice system? Remember, he thought that in order to prevent crime, punishment needed to be swift, severe, and certain.

3. How do social structures in society, such as access to legitimate opportunities, create conditions conducive to crime?

4. Why do social conflict theorists believe that crime is a product of powerful groups who dominate less powerful groups to protect their interests?

5. What are the differences between the classical, neoclassical, and positivist schools of thought?