Re-Reading Beccaria: On the Contemporary Significance of a Penal Classic

Cesare Beccarias slim 1764 volume On Crimes and Punishments influenced policy developments worldwide and over decades,if not centuries,after its publication. This collection addresses different aspects of the criminal justice theory Beccaria offered his readers and face up to methodological questions raised by meeting a historical text of this kind with modern scholarly conventions in mind.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 06 October 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Cesare Beccarias slim 1764 volume, On Crimes and Punishments, exerted a profound and lasting influence on policy developments across the globe, spanning decades, if not centuries, after its publication. For those who engage with Beccarias work today, this encounter is shaped by the knowledge of its historical significance and its dual nature as a historical document and a repository of ideas.

Appreciating On Crimes and Punishment's dual nature as a historical document and a compendium of ideas, the contributions in this collection address various facets of the criminal justice theory Beccaria presented to his readers. They confront the methodological challenges inherent in engaging with a historical text of this kind, which is often unsystematic and under-argued, while also considering modern scholarly conventions.

In the first part of the book, contributors delve into Beccarias political theory of criminal justice by examining it through the lenses of political and penal philosophy. They explore how Beccarias blend of social-contractarian foundations and proto-utilitarian policy analysis interlinks with the specific criminal justice practices he presents as justified. This analysis leads to the second part, where contributors approach Beccarias ideas with contemporary reforms and developments in mind. Many of his policy proposals and arguments retain their relevance from our contemporary perspective, while also revealing their limitations and omissions, which serve as valuable lessons for the contemporary scholar.

The third part of the collection offers a glimpse into the practical difficulties faced by Beccarias during his long career in the Habsburg-Lombardian administration. It situates his work within the broader context of pathways to criminal justice reform in northern Italy, Habsburgian Lombardy, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire during Beccarias time. By examining his experiences and challenges, this part provides a deeper understanding of the historical and societal context in which his ideas emerged and the impact they had on the development of criminal justice systems.

In conclusion, Cesare Beccarias On Crimes and Punishments remains a seminal work in the field of criminal justice theory. Through the contributions in this collection, scholars and policymakers gain a deeper appreciation of Beccarias ideas and their enduring relevance. By engaging with his work, we can better understand the historical roots
context in which his ideas emerged and the impact they had on the development of criminal justice systems.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509959136