Historical Perspectives on Criminology

• human beings were primarily driven by self-interest, but would be rational in their actions;
• suggested role of government was to act on behalf and in best interest of all citizens;

• law should act as a sufficient deterrent to those likely to break it, and the punishment should be proportionately greater than the potential pleasure/gain by breaking it

• Utilitarianism – law should ensure the greatest good for the greatest number of people;
• law should be based on a social contract between government and citizens, with each side accepting certain consequences if contract were broken

• Focus on biological and psychological factors (rather than legal system) to explain criminal behaviour

• as society moved from a rural to an urban setting, the traditional values and bonds that regulated an individual’s behaviour within the group were weakened;
• no longer restrained by societal norms and given anonymity in a big city, certain individuals turned to crime

• communities that suffered from high rates of poverty and social disintegration were more likely to condone criminal activity than a more affluent neighbourhood (countered by theories blaming capitalism for crime)

Theories

• crime is inevitable in a capitalist society (competition for wealth and resources is encouraged)

Theory

• there is a universal definition of right and wrong and criminal law reflects this consensus