Compare And Contrast The Classical School Of Criminology

The Classical School of Criminology is based on the assumption that individuals choose to commit crimes after weighing the consequences of their actions. Classical criminologists explain how individuals have free will. Such individuals can choose legal or illegal means to get what they want, their fear of punishment may deter them from committing crime. In addition, society can control behavior by making the pain of punishment greater than the pleasure of the criminal gains. The classical school of criminology began in the middle of the eighteenth century, which is now called the “neoclassical period”. This period was marked by its founding’s of new scholarly disciplines and scientific discoveries. Cesare Beccaria, one of the founders of criminology, also known as the father of modern criminology, used classical criminology to attempt to apply rationality and the rule of law to brutal and arbitrary criminal justice processes. According to his 1764 book, “On Crime and Punishment”, Beccaria proposed twelve principles in order to create a more fair criminal justice system. Such principles were that laws should be used to maintain the social contract, and that only legislators should create laws. Also, judges should impose punishment only in accordance with law, furthermore, judges should not interpret the laws. Beccaria …show more content…
Positivist criminologists believe that people are inherently good, however because of their background and environment, they may eventually become socially bad or are deemed with criminal behavior. In conclusion, the Classical and Positivist Schools of Criminology both share the same idea that criminal behavior can be controlled and is a consequence of human nature, which is inherent in all