The Deterrence Theory As Applied to Political Justice
For years the right has been content to fight fair while the left would literally justify any action legal or otherwise to stay in power and reward their corrupt supporters. Trump is a very different animal and does not owe his political power to a far left progressive power base. This resident understands the future of our free and open political system rests now of exacting justice for the bad behaviors of the past. When the DOJ discovers bad behavior they must exact by the book justice and punishment to the full extent of the law - regardless of who it impacts
Deterrence theory, when applied to political justice, refers to the idea that the threat of negative consequences can dissuade individuals, groups, or even states from engaging in actions deemed politically undesirable or illegal. It's about maintaining order, upholding laws, and preventing actions that could destabilize the political system or harm the public good.
Here's how deterrence theory manifests in political justice, along with its nuances and challenges:
Key Components of Deterrence in Political Justice:
Similar to general deterrence theory, it relies on:
Certainty of Punishment: The belief that engaging in the prohibited political action will highly likely lead to detection and punishment. This is crucial for effectiveness.
Severity of Punishment: The idea that the punishment for the political offense will be sufficiently harsh to outweigh any perceived benefits of the action.
Swiftness of Punishment (Celerity): The promptness with which punishment is administered after the offense.1 Delays can weaken the deterrent effect.2
Applications in Political Justice:
Criminal Justice System (Domestic):
Laws against political violence, terrorism, treason, sedition: The existence of strict laws and the threat of severe penalties (imprisonment, fines, etc.) are intended to deter individuals and groups from engaging in these actions.
Public Trials and Sentencing: Publicizing convictions and sentences for politically motivated crimes (e.g., corruption, hate crimes, electoral fraud) aims to serve as a general deterrent to others.
Policing and Surveillance: Visible policing and intelligence gathering can increase the perceived certainty of apprehension for those contemplating political offenses.
"Three Strikes" Laws and Mandatory Minimums: These policies, though controversial, were often enacted with a deterrent intent, aiming to make the cost of repeated offenses (including some politically motivated ones) very high.3
Focused Deterrence: This strategy in law enforcement identifies specific high-risk individuals or groups involved in violence and delivers a direct message that continued violence will result in swift, certain, and coordinated law enforcement action, often coupled with offers of social services. This can be applied to politically motivated gang violence or extremist groups.
International Relations (Preventing State-Level Aggression):
Military Deterrence (Conventional and Nuclear): The threat of military retaliation is a core principle in international relations to deter states from initiating armed conflict or violating international norms. This is the most widely discussed application, especially in the context of nuclear weapons (Mutually Assured Destruction - MAD).
Economic Sanctions: Imposing economic penalties on states that violate international law or human rights is a form of deterrence by punishment, aiming to make the cost of such actions too high.4
Diplomatic Isolation and Condemnation: International censure and exclusion from diplomatic forums can deter states from certain behaviors by damaging their reputation and influence.
International Criminal Justice: The International Criminal Court (ICC) and other ad hoc tribunals aim to deter war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide by holding individuals accountable, even heads of state.5 The threat of future prosecution is meant to influence current behavior.
Preventing Civil Unrest and Insurrection:
Law Enforcement Presence: A visible and capable police or security force can deter large-scale protests from turning violent or deter attempts at insurrection.
Legislation against Incitement: Laws prohibiting incitement to violence or hatred are intended to deter individuals from promoting actions that could lead to political instability.
In conclusion, deterrence theory is a cornerstone of political justice, both domestically and internationally. It relies on the strategic application of threats and consequences to discourage undesirable political actions. However, its effectiveness is contingent on various factors, including the rationality of actors, the credibility of the threats, and the potential for unintended consequences.