Retributive Justice

Retributive justice is a theory of justice focused on punishment for wrongdoing. It holds that when someone commits a crime, they deserve to be punished in a way that is proportionate to the harm they've caused. The main idea is to ensure accountability, restore moral balance, and deter future offenses. Unlike restorative justice, which emphasizes repairing harm and reconciliation, retributive justice prioritizes the response to the crime itself, aiming to impose consequences that reflect society's disapproval of the behavior. This approach is often reflected in legal systems where penalties are defined for various offenses.