CMY3701 SUMMARY - THE EXPLANATION OF CRIME 2021

CMY 3701: EXPLANATION OF CRIME Theme 1: Rational Actor Model: Assumptions of the classical school of thought: Human nature:  People are self-interested.  People are rational creatures.  People have free will.  People are able to make and act in accordance with personal choices, and are able to weight up the advantages and disadvantages of competing courses of action.  Prison is seen as a facility that facilitates reform by developing their rational thought processes. Conception of society or social order:  People will follow their own selfish interests, often resulting in conflict situations, and as a result, chaos.  People are rational. They therefore understand and accept the social contract. They give up certain freedoms in return for protection of life and property from the state.  A violation of the law is a violation of this contract and bears consequences on the individual. Cause of crime:  Crime is committed when the pleasure of the act outweighs the consequences of the pain of punishment.  Behaviour is guided by hedonism: the pain and pleasure principle. The criminal calculates the risk of the crime against the consequences he will face. Implications for policy:  Criminal justice should be subject to a rule of law.  Punishments should be fixed and severe enough to deter the offender from committing a similar offense again.  Judges’ discretion should be minimised.  There should be a legal code and system that is predictable and effective.