Reader on Punishment

Why we punish, who we punish, and how we punish are central elements of any discussion of the role of law in modern society. In this impressive collection, two leading experts on the theory of punishment have selected a range of articles which have made important and influential contributions to the way in which punishment is understood in contemporary society. The collection is prefaced by an original introduction written by the two editors, in which key concepts are identified. Each article is also prefaced by a short introduction setting out the issues to be discussed. Throughout the book the aim of the editors is to demonstrate that normative and empirical questions about punishment are deeply interrelated, and to show the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to understanding this vital social institution.