The Differences Between Criminals, Idiots And Normal People

According to Critical Issues in Crime and Justice, Cesare Lombroso considered the Father of Modern Criminology began his career working in asylums but had gotten an interest in studying criminality. He aimed to conclude the differences between criminals, the inane, and normal individuals by experimenting on Italian soldiers. Lombroso had introduced the biological theory pertaining to the study of criminal behavior and considered that biological roots were, in fact, the primary causes of crime. He explained that a ‘normal man’ could not become a criminal, as criminal tendencies are often found in those of a “degenerate man”. As he believed criminality was simply inherited, he conducted experiments of his own to prove his theories by measuring body parts, pain sensitivity, blood pressure, and a lie detector test.

The performed autopsies, he observed the characteristic of their physiology and compared the similarity of physical characteristics. Lombroso stated that a criminal could be identified by physical defects that described the individual as “savage or atavistic”. The mannerisms, physical movement, eye wandering, and the size of the nose would determine their criminality. This theory later led to discrimination and racial profiling. Lombroso had focused his experiments and observations among males who possessed similar physical traits, which was the definition of a criminal. Later on, he had focused on the female criminality, and observed that they were more ruthless than typical male offenders. Cesare Lombroso states that women also differed from ‘normal women’ as they had darker hair, smaller skulls, had lower jaws and were more wrinkled.

Cesare Lombroso’s’ theory was weak as he lacked explanations referring to psychological tendencies, the comparisons of gender criminality, social understanding and the possible effect of anomie or strain. The Classic School of Thought originated from the Enlightenment period that emphasized the need for punishment that is proportionate to the “harm done to society, should be identical for identical crimes and should be applied without reference to the social status of offenders or victims.” This was aimed to prevent future crimes.

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Marx had ultimately focused upon conflict theory condemning the capitalist society. His theory referred to the division of economic standing between the capitalists also known as the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. Marx had theorized that the capitalist's power over the social institutions were influential towards the values of society and the way of life, while proletariats lacked ownership or control. This contributed to the theory that criminal law was linked to the economic order. This is due to the economic sanctions, social forces and the effects of capitalism which was considered to be beyond the control of the proletariat. Marx had concluded that crime was the ultimate struggle of the isolated individual.

Bonger believed that capitalism was considered as a criminogenic which produced crime to be committed. He argued that crime was caused by “societal factors” in reference to the economy and its effects specifically on the proletariat. This is due to the brutal and miserable conditions of which the proletariat had endured. According to Bonger, the proletariat was often labeled as a criminal due to their economic standing. Also, that the capitalists aimed to grasp more power, which would increase their greed. In order to understand the influences of crime, Bonger had suggested focusing upon the distribution of wealth among the population. As this would determine the crime rate between the wealthy and those living in poverty.

As Bonger was influenced by Karl Marx’s views upon criminality in capitalist society, he began his studies on the influences between the political economy and crime. Karl Marx and William Bonger were insightful towards the division of economic standing between the capitalists and the proletariats. Thus, both considerably touch the subject that crime is evidently more likely to be committed due to conflict and economic influences. According to the textbook, Critical Issues in Crime and Justice, The Classical School was led by the ideas of the Enlightenment ideal of the basic unity of humanity in response to crime and punishment.

This is due to the cruel and unusual punishments given to crimes committed given by the justice system. The Classical school was fundamental to equality of law administered to the people during the Eighteenth century. The main contributor to The Classical School is Cesare de Beccaria, an Enlightenment thinker who is also considered as the Father of the Classical School of Criminology. Beccaria was known as a social and utilitarian individual. Beccaria had argued that similar crimes should have similar swift punishments, but not excessive as the punishment during the time period was often harsh. Though, he continuously argues that the focal point should not be towards punishment but instead on the prevention of crime, also known as deterrence.

Beccaria’s’ work was incredibly influential that within his lifetime, succeed by having multiple reforms had been put into place. To ensure a fair penal structure to the population, he insisted that punishment must be swift in order to deter criminal behavior and crime as it would become an example to others and deter others to committing a crime and facing punishment. The view of punishment was meant to be viewed as a deterrent and not as punishment in itself. Deterrence tends to impose that people are rational, reflect the free will and are hedonistic (Classical Criminology). The Classical School had an impact in the United States as the reformation of punishment had changed and was significant as it was “new.” It still referred to as many of the classical ideas are used in modern society and criminology in some instances as we continue to believe that punishment should act as a deterrent.

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