There are a lot of costs to disproportionate punishments.
There is the cost due to the inherent uncertainty in determining guilt. There is the cost to the power this gives to those who would lie, whether as citizens or as part of the state apparatus. There is the natural friction when segments of the society disagree on whether the action is criminal, or disagree on the severity of the penalty, which escalates grievance, retribution, vendetta, and the desire and need to control the state apparatus.
Disproportionate punishment escalates violence and the fight for domination.
There are a lot of costs to disproportionate punishments.
There is the cost due to the inherent uncertainty in determining guilt. There is the cost to the power this gives to those who would lie, whether as citizens or as part of the state apparatus. There is the natural friction when segments of the society disagree on whether the action is criminal, or disagree on the severity of the penalty, which escalates grievance, retribution, vendetta, and the desire and need to control the state apparatus.
Disproportionate punishment escalates violence and the fight for domination.