> If we want to reduce crime, we have to reduce the desperation. I believe this, especially in explaining why European crime rates are generally low. You don'

> If we want to reduce crime, we have to reduce the desperation. I believe this, especially in explaining why European crime rates are generally low. You don't need much punishment to prevent a hungry person from stealing an apple when people in need can access food at a foodbank. > Many people make the mistake that presumes criminals think rationally and therefore consider the consequences. Obscenely violent punishments can take advantage of this irrationality in the opposite direction. I suspect this plays a factor in crimes of insatiable desire like sex, drugs and politics. Drugs are rare in Singapore, western movies are rare in North Korea and adultery is rare in Saudi Arabia. There's also something special about the death penalty in preventing reoffending.