History of Punishment

Every civilization has had its code of values, its system of laws -- and each has defended that system by punishing wrongdoers. The most free, democratic society cannot allow its members to do entirely as they want, for in such lawlessness, only the strongest and most savage survive. No nation in history has valued individual freedom more highly than the United States of America, its people's right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" enshrined in the Constitution. However, this liberal tradition has made the rule of law more important, not less: America has led the world in developing and upholding an even-handed, humane, and accountable criminal-justice system. An impressive achievement, yet there are few signs of an end to crime. Where have we gone wrong? Have we tried too hard to be lenient, as many would claim? Or have we, on the contrary, brutalized offenders with harsh and unfair punishments? This book makes no claim to offer definitive answers to questions that have dogged humanity for centuries, but it does provide a vivid context in which they can be usefully considered. As enthralling as it is illuminating, it sets our current situation in its longer-term perspective, tracing the whole history of punishment from the earliest times to the present day Book jacket.Kerrigan, Michael is the author of 'History of Punishment' with ISBN 9781590843864 and ISBN 159084386X.