For Capital Punishment - Hardcover

Berns

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0465024734 ISBN 13: 9780465024735

Publisher: Basic Books, 1979

Synopsis

This distinguished constitutional theorist takes a hard look at current criminal law and the Supreme Court's most recent decisions regarding the legality of capital punishment. Examining the penal system, capital punishment, and punishment in general, he reviews the continuing debate about the purpose of punishment for deterrence, rehabilitation, or retribution. He points out that the steady moderation of criminal law has not effected a corresponding moderation in criminal ways or improved the conditions under which men must live. He decries the "pious sentiment" of those who maintain that criminals need to be rehabilitated. He concludes that the real issue is not whether the death penalty deters crime, but that in an imperfect universe, justice demands the death penalty. Originally published by Basic Books in 1979.

About this title

About the Author:

Walter Berns is John M. Olin University Professor, Department of Government, Georgetown University and adjunct scholar at the American Enterprise Institute.

About this edition

• Publisher: Basic Books
• Publication date: 1979
• ISBN 10: 0465024734
• ISBN 13: 9780465024735
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 224