Sociology & Criminology for a Changing World
Classical & Rational Choice Classical and rational choice theories share a fundamental assumption: crime results from free and rational choices made by autonomous individuals. Unlike etiological theories that emphasize deterministic causes such as biological predispositions or socialization processes, classical and rational theories maintain that all people have the capacity to weigh costs and benefits and
Classical criminology explains crime as the outcome of rational choices made by free and responsible individuals, emphasizing deterrence, proportionality, and legal equality. Key Points Classical Criminology Main Proponents: Cesare Beccaria, Jeremy Bentham, John Howard, Samuel Romilly, John Anselm von Feuerbach, Sir Robert Peel, Samuel Pufendorf First Published: Mid to late 18th century Country: Italy,
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