"A nation that kills breeds a nation of killers.
First, a definition of justice according to The Oxford English Dictionary, Fourth Edition:.
Justice, n. Just conduct; fairness; exercise of authority in maintenance of right poetic(al) ~ reward of virtue & punishment of vice.
Introduction: .
For centuries, in all cultures and nations has existed the concept of justice- righting a wrong doing, or in the event that that was impossible- a punishment or retribution for any act that was found to be unlawful. Indeed, before the bringing about of more modern judicial systems- justice was (and still is today) sought on an individual level by those who perceive an injustice was done to them. A fair and equitable idea that serves to benefit all parties involved: on a broad societal scale and on a personal one. Further wrongdoing is deterred, serves as corrective action to the offender, and offers the feeling of ______ to the complainant. In theory at least. .
However, in practise it seems today's systems of "justice", that is the prosecution of crimes committed against an individual or the state seem more a system for retribution and social control rather than that of a rehabilitative system aimed at the correction of action deemed criminal. Throughout the following pages, various theories and ideas will be put forth- based solely on observation and perception not on the rock-solid foundation of research. This is meant in no way to be anything more than a theoretical paper written solely to express ideas and thoughts- no absolute right is attributed to the words.
Justice as a Social Control:.
In recent days, many ground braking arguments have begun (and been concluded) in the courts of the world. Namely, that of gay rights, religious tolerance, the legalization of drugs, and the prosecution of political acts labelled "terrorist". Let us begin to look at the first of these debates; gay rights.
Across America live many on both sides of this issue.