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The myth of punitiveness

Matthews, Roger A. (2005) The myth of punitiveness. Theoretical Criminology, 9 (2). pp. 175-201. ISSN 1362-4806. (doi:10.1177/1362480605051639) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:36931)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1362480605051639

Abstract

There is a widespread claim in the criminological literature that the current period is characterized by a surge in punitiveness and that this 'punitive turn' is fuelled by a new populism. However, the key notions of 'punitiveness' and 'populism' remain largely undefined, with the result that much of the associated analysis is vague, while developments are often asserted rather than explained. Consequently, there is a tendency towards empiricism, on the one hand, and speculative idealism, on the other. It is not that one cannot find examples of punitiveness but since the deployment of punitive sanctions has historically been an endemic feature of the criminal justice system we are faced with question of 'what is new?' In this article it is argued that there has been a one-sided, exaggerated focus on punitiveness in recent times, which has detracted from the development of a progressive realist account of contemporary crime control.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1177/1362480605051639
Uncontrolled keywords: Actuarialism, Managerialism, Populism, Public opinion, Punitiveness, Toleration
Subjects: H Social Sciences
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research
Depositing User: Mita Mondal
Date Deposited: 26 Nov 2013 10:57 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:13 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/36931 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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