DISCUSSION: The author thinks utility maximization theory is accurate. That means the author believes that deterrence prevents crime by raising the risk of crime, and increased opportunity reduces crime by convincing people they’re better off being honest. It’s covered in the third paragraph.
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- The author agrees that stronger penalties deter crime.
- The author would agree. Rehabilitation includes making a prisoner better able to fit in with society. This increases the likelihood that they’ll benefit from society (e.g. they might get a job) and they’ll be less tempted by crime.
- CORRECT. This is backwards, but disguised by fancy language. It says that people will commit fewer crimes if society offers them fewer opportunities. The author says people will commit more crimes if society gives them fewer opportunities.
- Access to economic institutions is jargon for things like the ability to get a job or get loans to start a business. If this gets harder, the author agrees that people will be more tempted by crime.
- Vary inversely means: go in opposite directions. So stronger punishment leads to less crime. This means that deterrence works. The author agrees with that.
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