STUDY GUIDE 2 — VOCAB (1)

Sovereignty

The ultimate authority within a state’s territory and the power to make laws and punish those who break them.

Myth of Repayment

The belief that crime creates a debt to be repaid through punishment to restore order and balance.

Legal Revolution

A shift in understanding legal authority, especially seen during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance due to the rediscovery of Roman law.

Doctrine of Atonement

The belief that sin must be met with punishment to restore divine order, influencing both religious and legal systems.

Law and Order

A political slogan that frames crime as a threat to state stability, often emphasizing harsh penalties.

Hanging

A historical form of public execution used to assert state authority and enforce punishment.

Procession

Public parades of condemned individuals to their execution, reinforcing the state's power.

Execution Sermon

A religious speech given during public executions, focusing on repentance and the state's authority.

Broadsheets

Cheap printed materials that spread sensationalized news, sometimes glorifying criminals.

Carnival

A festive or rebellious tone at public executions, undermining the seriousness of the event.

Enlightenment

A philosophical movement advocating reason and human rights, criticizing harsh punishments.

Social Contract

A theory where people give up freedoms in exchange for protection and social order from the state.

Perpetual Slavery

Systems of lifelong enslavement, often reflecting parallels between slavery and mass incarceration.

Standardless Discretion

The ability of judges to impose punishments without clear standards, leading to bias.

American Exceptionalism

The idea that the U.S. is fundamentally different and has a unique history and treatment of its citizens.