The Legalization of Drugs

Erscheinungsjahr 2010
ISBN: 978-0-521-54686-7
Verlag: Cambridge University Press

Buch, Englisch, 224 Seiten, Format (B × H): 152 mm x 229 mm, Gewicht: 368 g

Reihe: For and Against

In the United States today, the use or possession of many drugs is a criminal offense. Can these criminal laws be justified? What are the best reasons to punish or not to punish drug users? These are the fundamental issues debated in this book by two prominent philosophers of law. Douglas Husak argues in favor of drug decriminalization, by clarifying the meaning of crucial terms, such as legalize, decriminalize, and drugs; and by identifying the standards by which alternative drug policies should be assessed. He critically examines the reasons typically offered in favor of our current approach and explains why decriminalization is preferable. Peter de Marneffe argues against drug legalization, demonstrating why drug prohibition, especially the prohibition of heroin, is necessary to protect young people from self-destructive drug use. If the empirical assumptions of this argument are sound, he reasons, drug prohibition is perfectly compatible with our rights to liberty.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Husak, Doug

de Marneffe, Peter

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Sozialphilosophie, Politische Philosophie
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politikwissenschaft Allgemein Politische Theorie, Politische Philosophie
• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Spezielle Soziologie Kriminalsoziologie
• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Soziologie Allgemein

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Part I. Husak: 1. The meaning of drug decriminalization; 2. How should we evaluate alternative drug policies?; 3. Reasons to criminalize drug use; 4. Reasons to decriminalize; 5. Drug legalization; Part II. de Marneffe: 6. An argument for drug prohibition; 7. Drug prohibition and liberalism; 8. Alcohol and other drugs; 9. Epistemic concerns.