deterrence by punishment

Deterrence by punishment is a strategy used to prevent people from committing harmful or unlawful acts by imposing penalties that outweigh any potential benefits. The idea is that if someone considers breaking a rule or committing a crime, the threat of receiving a significant punishment—such as fines, imprisonment, or other sanctions—will discourage them from doing so. Essentially, it's about making the cost of bad behavior high enough that people choose to act lawfully to avoid punishment. This approach aims to maintain order and promote compliance by leveraging the fear of negative consequences.