PROPORTIONATE PUNISHMENT FROM THE VIEW OF DETERRENCE THEORIES OF PUNISHMENT (BY EMPHASIZE ON GERMAN CRIMINAL SENTENCING THEORY)

The first account of the principles of proportionate sanctions was utilitarian, and was provided over two centuries ago by Cesar Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham. Failure to observe the principles of proportionality in sentencing would be weaken the deterrent function of punishment. Currently, theory of Positive General Prevention is the dominant theory of punishment in German criminal law. This term was constructed in Germany to make a different between traditional term "general deterrence" and "positive general prevention". This theory emphasizes on positive function of punishment through strengthening the morality, supporting the desired attitudes and ways of behaving, and strengthening the respect and trust in law. The final purpose is crime rate reduction in society.