The article offers a modern view of criminology (postmodern criminology) on crime, the grounds for the criminalization of certain acts, criminogenic factors and punishment, as a supposed means of reducing crime. Crimes and criminality are considered as social constructs, a product of the will of the authorities, the regime. Criminogenic factors turn out to be circumstances (economic, political, cultural, personal) that generally affect people's behavior. Punishment is not able to fulfill the hopes placed on it.