Steven E. Landsburg

In the following viewpoint, Steven E. Landsburg maintains that a high conviction rate deters more murders than executions do. Potential killers are more likely to avoid murder if they face larger odds of conviction rather than smaller chances of execution. While executions do discourage homicides, they are about half as effective as convictions in preventing murders. Landsburg is the author of Fair Play: What Your Child Can Teach You About Economics, Values, and the Meaning of Life.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to Landsburg, what kind of jackpot makes lotteries more attractive to people"
2. According to the author, what deters more crime: longer jail sentences or higher conviction rates"
3. What did Isaac Ehrlich, cited by the author, conclude about the deterrent effects of conviction...