To the issue of the term «system» use relative to the totality of criminal penalties

The author defines the meaning of the term «system», as well as philosophical concept of the system; determines signs that should be inherent for any system. The author analyzes the current list of criminal punishments for compliance with such key features as: availability of the system elements and their set, correlation, dependence, and the consequent disposition of the elements that combine elements with common sign or purpose, conditionality of the system by specific conditions of external environment, integrity, and unity of unified elements. In conclusion the author comes to the conclusion about incorrect use of the term «system» when characterizing criminal punishments, and makes suggestions for improvement of the criminal law, including for providing opportunity of the science-based use of the term «system» relative to the totality of criminal penalties.

system, system features, set of criminal penalties, ladder of punishment, complete set, element, fine, community services, correctional work, basic and additional punishment