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Something Understood

Religion & Ethics

Ethical and religious discussion that examines some of the larger questions of life

Ethical and religious discussion that examines some of the larger questions of life, taking a spiritual theme and exploring it through music, prose and poetry

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Something Understood: Deterrence

Embracing the Classical

22/05/2016

Deterrence

BBC Radio 4 - Something Understood, Deterrence

Mark Tully wonders why deterrence often fails to deter, whether globally or personally.

Mark Tully asks why deterrence often fails to deter, whether globally or personally. It can be harmful and prevent people pursuing better options, but when does deterrence work?

Mark Tully ponders why deterrence often fails to deter, whether globally, at home, or in the Garden of Eden. He examines the different ways it is used - including to discipline children, to reduce breaches of the law, to prevent people endangering themselves or others and, perhaps most successfully, to stop the Cold War getting hot. 

To consider whether persuasion might be a better option than deterrence, Mark chooses readings on the prohibition of alcohol in the United States in the 1920s, the psychological effects of the notion of sin and hell, and the mixed success of corporal and capital punishment.

While accepting that deterrence can be effective sometimes, Mark maintains that it often prevents us pursuing better options, and can be detrimental - not least for Conrad who ignores his mother's warning that "the great tall tailor always comes", armed with his "great sharp scissors", to "little boys that suck their thumbs." Conrad is undeterred. "Snip! Snap! Snip!"


Producer: Adam Fowler
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