Do you think there is a better way to reduce crime than punishment?

I believe that punishment should always follow crime when the criminals will not learn otherwise. However, mercy also can cause a person to rethink their ways and change for the better.

answer:

the colonists had their reasons for creating a weak central (federal) government under the articles of confederation. not only did they create a weak federal government, they restricted the powers of the state governors because they were so concerned about the leaders abusing their power.