刑罚作为一种强制性的制裁方法,在本质上体现了法律的社会关系。刑罚的出现、存在和发展,对于社会的发展与进步所起的作用是重大的。但由于社会和人自身的复杂性,刑罚的社会功能,往往因为主客观条件的差别,而呈现出不同的结果,其最终的功能更多地体现在社会功能和利益格局的平衡上。 Penal punishment, as a compulsory method of sanctions, essentially reflects the legal social relations. The emergence, existence and development of penalties are significant for the development and progress of society. However, due to the complexity of society and people, the social function of punishment often shows different results because of the difference between subjective and objective conditions. Its ultimate function is more reflected in the balance between social functions and interests.