Crime and Punishment (Becker)

"Crime and Punishment" by Gary Becker uses economic principles to analyze crime as a decision-making process. It suggests individuals weigh the potential benefits of committing a crime against the risks and costs, such as punishment or imprisonment. If the expected benefits outweigh the costs, they are more likely to offend. Becker argues that increasing the likelihood or severity of punishment can deter crime by raising the expected costs. This approach views crime as a choice influenced by economic incentives, emphasizing that policies aimed at increasing the cost of crime can effectively reduce criminal activity.