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“The punishment syndrome: What we expect to get from punishment and why we don’t get it.”

Redekop, Paul.
June 4, 2015

Source: (2000) Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: Menno Simons College.

In this paper, Redekop notes the pervasiveness of punishment as a concept and practice at all levels of life, from the sphere of the family to international relations. He describes this cluster of beliefs, emotions, and behaviors as a “punishment syndrome.â€? On this basis, Redekop details certain fundamental characteristics of this “syndrome,â€? particularly with respect to our expectations of what punishment will achieve. This leads to discussion of punishment in relation to children, criminal justice (including capital punishment), and international relations. In each case, Redekop proposes alternatives to punishment (e.g., restorative justice processes in response to criminal wrongdoing).

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