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The economist and the enlightenment: how Cesare Beccaria changed Western civilization

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  • John D. Bessler

    (University of Baltimore School of Law
    Georgetown University Law Center
    Berens & Miller, P.A.)

Abstract

This Article traces the influence of Cesare Beccaria’s writings on Western civilization. It explores the global impact of Beccaria’s 1764 book, Dei delitti e delle pene, later translated into English as An Essay on Crimes and Punishments. In particular, the Article highlights Beccaria’s advocacy for proportion between crimes and punishments and against the death penalty. The Article gives a short sketch of Beccaria’s life and describes the impact of Beccaria’s book and his legacy in shaping the world’s laws. The Article further describes how Beccaria’s role as an influential eighteenth-century economist has been neglected by some economic historians.

Suggested Citation

  • John D. Bessler, 2018. "The economist and the enlightenment: how Cesare Beccaria changed Western civilization," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 46(3), pages 275-302, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:ejlwec:v:46:y:2018:i:3:d:10.1007_s10657-016-9546-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10657-016-9546-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gary S. Becker, 1974. "Crime and Punishment: An Economic Approach," NBER Chapters, in: Essays in the Economics of Crime and Punishment, pages 1-54, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Peter Groenewegen, 2009. "Scritti di Economia, Finanza e Amministrazione," Contributions to Political Economy, Oxford University Press, vol. 28(1), pages 103-106.
    3. Harcourt, Bernard E., 2011. "The Illusion of Free Markets: Punishment and the Myth of Natural Order," Economics Books, Harvard University Press, number 9780674066168, Spring.
    4. Francesco Forte, 2010. "Principles of Public Economics," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 1341.
    5. Shavell, Steven, 2015. "A simple model of optimal deterrence and incapacitation," International Review of Law and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 13-19.
    6. Bert Tieben, 2012. "The Concept of Equilibrium in Different Economic Traditions," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 13858.
    7. Bentham, Jeremy, 1781. "An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation," History of Economic Thought Books, McMaster University Archive for the History of Economic Thought, number bentham1781.
    8. Pier Luigi Porta, 2011. "Lombard Enlightenment and Classical Political Economy," The European Journal of the History of Economic Thought, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(4), pages 521-550, October.
    9. Richard Arena & Sheila Dow & Matthias Klaes, 2009. "Open Economics: Economics in relation to other disciplines," Post-Print halshs-00727206, HAL.
    10. Ross, Ian Simpson, 2010. "The Life of Adam Smith," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, edition 2, number 9780199550036.
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    Cited by:

    1. Wendy J. Gordon & Alain Marciano & Giovanni B. Ramello, 2019. "The future of law and economics and the legacy of Guido Calabresi," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 48(1), pages 1-8, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Cesare Beccaria; Dei delitti e delle pene; On Crimes and Punishments; Enlightenment; Death penalty; Proportionality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B12 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought through 1925 - - - Classical (includes Adam Smith)
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • K4 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior
    • K14 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law - - - Criminal Law
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • N00 - Economic History - - General - - - General

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