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On crimes and punishments and other writings
Published in 1764, On Crimes and Punishments by Cesare Beccaria (1738-1794) was greeted with much attention and debate in Europe and North America. Intellectuals and rulers alike commended the work and looked to it for ideas that might help guide the various reform projects of the day. The equality of every citizen before the law, the right to a fair trial, the abolition of the death penalty, and the elimination of the use of torture in criminal interrogations are but a few of the fundamental concepts articulated by Beccaria." "This volume provides a new English translation of Beccaria's classic treatise as well as responses by a number of his contemporaries. Of particular interest is Voltaire's commentary on Beccaria's text, included in its entirety. The supplementary materials testify not only to the power and significance of Beccaria's ideas, but to their controversial nature....
