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Retributive justice emphasizes punishment that is proportional to the crime committed. This perspective of justice is grounded in the belief that when an individual commits an offense, they deserve to face consequences that correspond in severity to the harm they have caused. The underlying principle is that the act of wrongdoing must be addressed through a punishment that reflects the moral culpability of the offender. Retributive justice seeks to affirm societal norms by insisting that violations result in appropriate sanctions, thereby promoting accountability and restoring a sense of order within the community.

While other approaches like restorative justice focus on healing relationships or rehabilitation emphasize reforming the offender, retributive justice centers on the idea that justice is served when a proportionate penalty is applied, ensuring that offenders understand the seriousness of their actions in relation to the harm done to victims and society at large.