Rational Choice Theory: Death Penalty

Rational Choice Theory: Death Penalty The death penalty has been debated over and over with no clear solution to whether it should be continued or be abolished. One thing is clear and to provide an argument for the death penalty can be made with the rational choice theory (RCT)/deterrence theory (DT). In their model, Cornish and Clark (1986) understood that people are not empty vessel when they approach a situation in which a crime might be committed (Lilly, Cullen, Ball, 2007, p. 276). Environmental, psychological, and biological factors create the motivations to commit crimes. The rational choice theory is advancement towards the causation of crime because it looks beyond the background factors and looks more at conscious decision makers who weigh options and act with a purpose (Lilly, Cullen, Ball, 2007, p. 277). The basic idea of the rational choice theory is that individuals or criminals engage in some intelligent thought before choosing to commit a crime (OConnor, 2007, para. 2). This means that the individual is already thinking of the risk, consequences, and possible rewards if they continue on with the thought of committing a crime. The other side of the RCT is the DT. As RCT would explain, individuals make a personal choice on whether they will commit a crime or not. The RCT suggests a more promising approach to reducing crime: situational crime prevention. By studying how offenders make decisions to commit criminal acts certain steps may be taken to reduce such opportunities for these offenses to occur (Lilly, Cullen, Ball, 2007, p. 277). By installing such things as alarm systems could prevent a potential burglary on your own but this is also a purpose of the deterrence theory. With regards to the death penalty, the assessment of action weighs the benefit of killing someone (for financial gain, revenge, etc.) against the threat of death and a possible result is that offenders would not make a choice to murder someone because of the threat of dying themselves at the hands of the government. Both the rational choice theory and deterrence theory work together when answer the call to murder and whether the death penalty is a rational punishment for committing a murder. Once again, the rational choice theory is explained by the personal choice made by the individual to commit a crime. The deterrence theory is the answer to that personal choice to commit a crime or for the purpose of this explanation; murder justified by the death penalty should suffice an effective deterrent to committing murders. To many this sounds good, you commit yourself to following through on a murder; you receive the death penalty but as it common knowledge that death penalty is not given to individuals all of time for committing murders. Therefore, the rational choice theory and deterrence theory immediately receives criticisms for a solution to preventing murders. Why does this happen? Our justice system pretty much tells us that for example, killing your wife because you just found out she was having an extra-marital affair does not necessarily mean you will get the death penalty. You have expert lawyers and then poorly constructed juries that defeats ideas of the rationa l choice and deterrence theories. Rational choice and deterrence theories are supposed to provide quick, swift, and certain death to offenders who commit murders but as mentioned before, this is not always the right or correct answer. Though both theories serve to the answer the question of whether or not a murder is a rational choice made by an individual and the quick answer to it, they also unfortunately lay down the issues with rational choice and deterrence as a solution to committing a murder. The problems within our justice system allow those who are on death row to extend their time alive because of appeals thus defeating both theories. According to Montaldo (2006), The U.S. Supreme Court has issued two rulings that make it easier for death row inmates to file additional appeals to avoid execution, extending the appeals process for many of the 3,300 inmates on death row and delaying justice for the families of their victims (para. 1). Final thoughts on the rational choice and deterrence theories as solutions to murder have issues but both can work and for the death penalty to serve the purposes of both, the justice system must make some changes. Death penalty cases are expensive from the court time sentencing to the actual execution can last for years because of the number of appeals for possible mishaps in the case or any other problems the individual could have with their case for example, rights violations, arguments for cruel and unusual punishment can all bring up points for new case. Unfortunately, this does happen and a death penalty sentence may get reduce to life in prison and most of the time without parole. However, some instances, individuals do get parole and release back into society and commit more crimes. To limit things like that, the rational choice theory and deterrence theory could be utilized to limit such instances. Right now, the death penalty cannot be used as deterrent in our current justi ce system because of some of the mentioned. If the theories were used, they could really provide a deterrent to murder. How would conflict theory explain the phenomenon of racial profiling in America? The conflict theory is based on an assumption that criminal behavior is delivered from the social and economical forces imposed on individuals. The criminal justice system and criminal law are thought to be operating on behalf of rich and powerful social elites, with resulting policies aimed at controlling the poor (Conflict, 2005, para. 1). The hierarchy falls as follows: High class society, Middle class society, Lower class society. The rich and powerful has always had the upper hand when establishing policy for the country. Much of that power came from capitalism. As stated by Lilly, Cullen, Ball (2007), capitalism was considered to be at the root of the conflict because it was taken to be the source of the unjust inequality (p. 151). In many opinions, capitalism makes the rich people richer while the rest are left behind thus defeating the 2nd Bill of Rights proposed by former President Roosevelt. In his State of the Union Address to Congress, FDR proposed a 2nd Bill of Rights b ecause of the capitalism had over run the country. The highlights of FDRs speech are the 5 specific Bill of Rights and they are provided for Woolley Peters (1990): Therefore, in order to concentrate all our energies and resources on winning the war, and to maintain a fair and stable economy at home, I recommend that the Congress adopt: (1) A realistic tax law-which will tax all unreasonable profits, both individual and corporate, and reduce the ultimate cost of the war to our sons and daughters. The tax bill now under consideration by the Congress does not begin to meet this test. (2) A continuation of the law for the renegotiation of war contracts-which will prevent exorbitant profits and assure fair prices to the Government. For two long years I have pleaded with the Congress to take undue profits out of war. (3) A cost of food law-which will enable the Government (a) to place a reasonable floor under the prices the farmer may expect for his production; and (b) to place a ceiling on the prices a consumer will have to pay for the food he buys. This should apply to necessities only; and will require public funds to carry out. It will cost in appropriations about one percent of the present annual cost of the war. (4) Early reenactment of the stabilization statute of October, 1942. This expires June 30, 1944, and if it is not extended well in advance, the country might just as well expect price chaos by summer. We cannot have stabilization by wishful thinking. We must take positive action to maintain the integrity of the American dollar. (5) A national service law- which, for the duration of the war, will prevent strikes, and, with certain appropriate exceptions, will make available for war production or for any other essential services every able-bodied adult in this Nation. These five measures together form a just and equitable whole. I would not recommend a national service law unless the other laws were passed to keep down the cost of living, to share equitably the burdens of taxation, to hold the stabilization line, and to prevent undue profits. (p. 1) Though this was a dream of FDR, it never came to pass but if it did chances are that the separations between the classes may not have ever occurred. Unfortunately, a separation did occur and created why as to the reason in which the conflict theory exists. Inequality is now a part of our society and will stay that way until the people want change. In the United States, the competitions for decent paying jobs are overloaded with applicants vying for jobs that would provide a decent living for their families. Those at the lowest level of the socio-economic ladder often find themselves working jobs with poor pay and using that little money to pay for insurances e.g. life, health, etc. Even with the Civil Rights Act, Affirmative Action, and other things meant to help there still lies the shadow of inequality in the United States thus leaving most individuals in poverty for their entire existence. In the United States, our poorest people are minorities including African Americans and Hispanics and it is easy to be placed into a group and most of the time those particular groups are targeted by police as bad seeds that want to upset the balance of the rich and powerful or the upper class of society. Trying to get a piece of the pie falls short and therefore commits crimes making it easier for racial profiling to occur. In other words, police are able to target whole groups of people that are minorities in order not to mess up the way of life for the upper class of society. The constant harassment makes the minority people feel fear of rebellion and maintains the inequality that benefits the upper level of society. By being the top of the pyramid, these people are able to dictate the rules to the lower masses and are doing so by implementing (or trying to implement) racial profiling. If a group of society is always in fear of being accused of crimes they did not commit, they are unlikely to find a common and loud voice of protest but by still having the ability to vote maybe there could be a change in the thought process of societys upper class. It is truly unclear on whether President Barack Obama can keep his promise of change alive but many people in the lower socio-economic classes believe that the change can and will happen. Also, there is no guarantee that if the classes were equal that crime would not exist because even those with all the money still commit crimesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦hence Bernard Madoff. Can the concept of rational choice involve passionate crimes? Explain and defend your answer. Yes, because the rational choice theory blames the crime on the personal decision of the individual. The belief that human nature was predicated upon the search for pleasure and the avoidance of pain, and that human action was consequently organized around calculative strategies aimed at utility maximization (Hayward, 2007, p. 233). The deliberate acts done in passion crimes are calculated in short periods of time. Many times the actions in passion crimes are usually at a moments notice and therefore are judged as ill advised, if not foolish (Lilly, Cullen, Ball, p. 277). The rational choice theory ultimately teaches that people make decisions to act or not to act based whether the actions would satisfy the main objective. Crimes of passion is a term used to define a crime which is committed by an individual in the form of assault or murder against a spouse or a lover out of jealousy or heartbreak and is not a preplanned crime. The thinking process is based on the limited amount of information available to the individual but it is common knowledge that the brain reacts faster than the body can process the signal and therefore even if in a split second to stop the first blow it may not be stop in time. So, when a person says they cannot stop themselves from acting what they are truly trying to say is that there is no need to suffer the pain or difficulty it would cause them from carrying out the criminal act. The most common example of a crime of passion is when a husband discovers his wife is having affair with another man and out of jealousy he can murder her. Peoples brain can make the choice to eliminate the pain of a breakup by covering it with anger, frustrations, and pain. With enough pain built up, there is usually a lot of trouble for the one who caused it. The choice being made is one that is rationalized. I believe that most courts in the United States understand crimes of passion and incarceration is the end game because though it was choice or decision it is understood that the act happened without a clear thought. However, it is still a poor decision, but a choice that brings instant satisfaction and delays pain. Therefore, explaining that the decisions in crimes of passions can be understood with the use of the rational choice theory.

Porcupines :: essays research papers

Porcupines African Crested Porcupines Order: rodent. A porcupine's habitat and range: forests, deserts, and grasslands of North and South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. Porcupines can weigh from 2 to 60 pounds depending on the species. A prickly coat of needle-sharp quills is the porcupine's best defense. Ordinarily the quills lay flat. But if an enemy approaches the porcupine will raise the quills and spread them, usually deterring the enemy. If the animal is not deterred the quills may lodge in the enemy's flesh when the porcupine brushes against the animal. New quills grow in to relace the lost ones. The porcupine cannot throw its quills. There are two groups of porcupines. They differ in habits and appearance. The porcupines of the Americas also climb trees. Some have been seen using their tails to hold on to branches. In the winter the North American porcupine eats evergreen needles and bark. When spring arrives they feed on leaves, buds, stems, and fruit. Depending on the species, the gestation period is from 2 to 7 months, bearing 1 to 4 young. The life span of captive porcupines can be as much as 20 years. The Future of the Porcupine They are nearsighted, have a deep red shine to their eyes, and four toes on each front foot and five toes on each hind foot. Porkies are the second-largest rodent in Wisconsin after the North American beaver. They can weigh 30 pounds or more in summer but their weight drops dramatically during the lean months of winter. Porcupines live in the northern two-thirds of the state in a territory that extends in a V-shape from about the Ellsworth area in Pierce County down to Wisconsin Dells and back up toward Green Bay. Porcupines, like most rodents, are vegetarians. Their winter diet consists of conifer needles, buds and the bark of pines, hemlock, maples and birch. How these critters survive on foods with a protein content of only two to three percent is truly amazing. Porcupines are sloppy eaters who drop a lot of greener y that provides a welcome snack for white-tailed deer during deep snows. If you spot a small pile of freshly-snipped branches on a winter walk, it's likely porcupines are nearby. Their winter dens are easy to find -- just follow your eyes and nose. Porcupines winter in caves and hollow logs. They travel the same paths every day.

Traditions in British Culture

Traditions in Britain Culture Britain is full of various types of traditions. They have been around for hundreds of years. When most people think of Britain they think of eating Fish and Chips, or drinking tea and wearing bowler hats. There is a lot more to it than just that. St. George’s day is one of the most important days for England. It is known as their national day. April 23rd is when St. George’s day is celebrated. St. George is the patron saint of England, he protested against the Romans torture of Christians and died because of his beliefs.On Sundays the main meal of the day is often eaten at midday instead of in the evening. This meal usually is a Roast Dinner consisting of roast meat, Yorkshire pudding and two or three kinds of vegetables. Symbols that identify British Culture include: †¢The three national symbols: †¢The Union Jack: The flag of the United Kingdom, it dates back to 1603. When James VI (6th) of Scotland inherited the English and Iris h thrones. Joining together the crowns of England, Scotland and Ireland in a personal union. The Red Rose: It is the national flower of England. †¢And the three Lions Crest also known as the Royal Arms of England: The three golden lions on a red background, symbolizing England †¢The Royal Family: Queen Elizabeth, Prince Phillip, Prince Charles, Prince William, and Prince Harry. †¢Royal Guards: Life Guard, Foot Guard and Beefeater †¢On the Streets of England: Red double decker buses, Black taxi cabs, Pillar box (Post Box) and Telephone Box †¢ Song:God Save the Queen is the English anthem, it can also be known as God save the King when the Monarch is a male. When sung people usually only sings one or two of the verses, since over the years many people have contributed into adding another verse into the song. The many candidates for authorship on this song include John Bull, Thomas Ravenscroft, Henry Purcell, and Henry Carey. Currency: The pound sterling, often simply called the pound, is the currency of the United Kingdom. It is subdivided into 100 pence. Singular form is a penny) Education: British children are required by law to have an education until they are 16 years old and after that they are free to not go to school. Education is compulsory, but school is not. Children aren’t required to attend school, but the only other option is to be educated at home. The main school holidays are: Christmas (2 weeks long), Spring- 2 weeks long, and summer that is 6 weeks long. There are also one-week holidays that are at the end of October, the middle of February and the end of may.

Democratic Republic of Congo An Explanation of the...

The Democratic Republic of Congo has been experiencing the same war for over two decades, and there is a strong correlation between the country’s demographic indicator rates and the conflict (World Factbook). Although research has shown that all of the demographic indicator rates are slowly declining, the conflicts inside and bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo are the central causes of the country’s high migration rates, high death rates, high birth and fertility rates, and considerably young population (International Programs). In 1996, Rwanda and Uganda invaded the Democratic Republic of Congo and that year marks the beginning of the country’s unusual migration patterns (How Gold Pays). According to the OIM website,†¦show more content†¦The ministry of public health, Dr Pierre Opetha, explained that only around five percent of the countrys budget is put towards improving healthcare. In developed countries, the average amount of funds put aside for health care is between fifteen and twenty percent (Guardian). In 2011, the Democratic Republic of Congo was among the top 5 countries in Africa with the highest infant mortality rate, but as of 2013, the country has declined in rank. In the past, health care for mothers was almost nonexistent. In 2008, a little over fifty percent of women received some kind of health care assistance from a skilled worker. There were only eleven medical workers per ten thousand people in the region (Associated Press). This is part of the reason why the country’s infant mortality rate is 74.87 deaths per 1000 live births (World Factbook). Although the rate is slowly decreasing, it is still very high compared to a country like Sweden that has a rate of 3 per 1000 (Associated Press). Moreover, the infant mortality rate is high, because the income of most families is too low to support every member. In the Guardian article, there was a family of 9 living off of the father’s income which was about thirty dollars a month (Guardian). The declination of the rate over the years is partially contributed by the increase in immunizations and vaccines. For instance, the percentage of immunizations for the measles has increase from 38 percent in 1990 to 76 percent in 2009 (WorldShow MoreRelatedCompare and Contrast Communism, Socialism, and Capitalism2094 Words   |  9 Pagesdistributions will be in accordance with the maxim. German author Emil Ludwig described the maxim as â€Å"for each according to his capacity, to each according to his need.†(1) It is to be distinguished from socialism which aims by constitutional and democratic methods to nationalize gradually only the essential means of production and to organize distribution on the basis of a just rewa rd to each person for the amount and quality of his or her work. 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