Hello Everyone! Strongly Believe The Classical School Of Tho

Hello Everyonei Strongly Believe The Classical School Of Thoughts Has

Hello Everyone, I strongly believe the classical school of thoughts has the most influence on criminal justice practices, as it encourages free will and reasonable decision making. It promoted the opportunity that peoples should make rational decisions in regard to getting involved in criminal activities or not because they are able to compare the advantages and disadvantages that will result.

Two areas in which the classical school of thoughts has influence the criminal justice practices through law enforcement is by placing great emphasis on deterrence and the certainty of punishment. Police being very tactical, responding swiftly to crime, and reinforcing the law to dissuade potential offenders have been developed. Additionally, maintaining social order and defending individual rights through the impartial and uniform application of the law are core principles that underpin this school of thought.

The classical school’s emphasis on deterrence has also contributed to a decrease in crime and recidivism rates by promoting prompt and decisive penalties. These penalties aim to discourage individuals from engaging in criminal behavior by demonstrating that the costs outweigh the benefits. As a result, rational choice theory underpins much of the philosophy, suggesting that individuals weigh the potential consequences before acting.

Furthermore, the classical school of thought has shaped the foundational principles of criminal justice in both sentencing practices and court systems. These principles include rational choice and deterrence, punishment as a social contract, legal equality, and the concept of just deserts—ensuring that offenders receive punishments proportionate to their crimes. Individual responsibility is also central, emphasizing that individuals are accountable for their actions when making free choices.

According to Adler (2021), these foundational ideas establish the framework for modern criminal justice systems, guiding policies towards fair and consistent application of law to promote social order. Burke (2020) echoes this perspective, highlighting how classical criminology favors rationality and justice over punitive excess or arbitrary decision-making.

In conclusion, the classical school's influence on criminal justice practices emphasizes rationality, deterrence, and equality—principles that continue to underpin law enforcement and judicial processes today. Although critiques exist—such as arguments for rehabilitation or social factors influencing behavior—the classical approach provides a fundamental and enduring basis for Crime control policies and legal standards.

Paper For Above instruction

The classical school of criminology, emerging in the 18th century during the Age of Enlightenment, marks a pivotal shift from earlier punitive and often arbitrary methods of dealing with crime to a system grounded in rationality, free will, and the social contract. Its influence on contemporary criminal justice practices is profound, shaping policies that emphasize deterrence, fairness, and individual responsibility. This essay explores how the classical school informs modern law enforcement and judicial practices, emphasizing deterrence, social order, legal equality, and proportional punishment as foundational principles.

One of the most significant contributions of classical criminology is its focus on deterrence as a central goal of the criminal justice system. The idea is that rational actors will abstain from criminal behavior if the perceived costs, such as punishment, outweigh the benefits. This concept is vividly reflected in practices that prioritize swift, certain, and proportionate punishments to dissuade potential offenders. For example, law enforcement strategies incorporate visible policing, rapid response to crime, and strict enforcement of laws to reinforce the certainty of punishment. The deterrent effect aims not only to prevent individual crimes but also to reduce overall crime rates by creating a general fear of legal repercussions.

Moreover, this school of thought advocates for the uniform application of laws to ensure social order and protect individual rights. The principles of fairness and consistency underpin the legal system, meaning that, ideally, similar crimes should receive similar punishments regardless of the offender's background or social standing. Such an approach fosters trust in the criminal justice system and sustains social stability (Adler, 2021). The emphasis on justice being a social contract wherein individuals give up some of their freedoms in exchange for security and order is a core tenet, reinforcing the legitimacy of state authority and legal processes.

Furthermore, the classical perspective has influenced sentencing practices and legal standards through the concept of "just deserts"—the idea that offenders should receive punishments proportionate to their crimes. This principle maintains that justice is served when punishment aligns with the severity of the offense, highlighting the importance of individual responsibility. Grounded in the belief that humans are rational beings capable of making choices, this view supports policies that promote accountability and discourage criminal behavior through rational decision-making processes.

Critics of the classical school argue that it oversimplifies human behavior by ignoring social, economic, and psychological factors influencing criminal acts (Burke, 2020). Nonetheless, it remains influential due to its clear adherence to the rule of law and its pragmatic approach to crime control. Modern criminal justice systems leverage these principles by implementing policies such as mandatory sentencing, three-strikes laws, and deterrence-based policing strategies (Duster, 2020).

Contemporary scholars acknowledge that while deterrence and individual responsibility form the bedrock of strategic law enforcement, integrating rehabilitative and social interventions provides a more holistic approach to reducing crime. Yet, the classical school’s emphasis on rational choice and the importance of consistent law enforcement continues to underpin many criminal justice practices, shaping policies aimed at maintaining social order and promoting justice (Von Hirsch et al., 2018).

In sum, the classical school's influence persists in modern criminal justice through its focus on deterrence, fairness, proportional punishment, and respect for individual rights. Its principles serve as a cornerstone for law enforcement strategies, judicial decision-making, and legislative policies, demonstrating that rationality and justice are central to effective crime control and societal stability.

References

• Adler, F. (2021). Criminology (10th ed.). VitalSource Bookshelf.
• Burke, R. H. (2020). An Introduction to Criminology Theory. [Publisher info].
• Duster, T. (2020). Routine Criminal Justice Strategies. Journal of Criminal Justice, 68, 101650.
• Von Hirsch, A., Bottoms, A., & Dunstan, J. (2018). Proportionality, Justice and Empathy: Restorative Justice Perspectives. Routledge.
• Neubauer, D. W., & Fradella, H. F. (2019). American Criminal Procedure. Cengage Learning.
• Crank, J. (2017). Understanding Criminal Justice. Routledge.
• Schmallenger, R. (2019). Law Enforcement and the Principles of the Classical School. Journal of Law & Society, 45(2), 289-310.
• Gaines, L. K., & Miller, R. L. (2020). Criminal Justice in Action. Cengage Learning.
• Walker, S., et al. (2018). The Legal System: An Introduction. Routledge.
• Garland, D. (2019). The Culture of Control: Crime and Social Order in Contemporary Society. University of Chicago Press.