Death penalty has become a very controversial and high-visibility topic in the recent political and social activities. This is true both in the United States as well as around the world. There has already been a lot of shifts and changes over the years including the abandonment of hanging and firing squads. Even the electric chair has fallen mostly out of favor with the governments and law enforcement agencies of the world. However, even the remaining method commonly used in death penalty executions has started to get difficult, that being the use of lethal injection. Whether it be fear of liability or concern about conscience, many of the drug companies that manufacture the drugs that are used in lethal injections are starting to rescind their cooperation with law enforcement and government. This is part of a wider movement around the world to abolish the death penalty due to it allegedly being barbaric and uncivilized. The author of this response would argue that while simply imprisoning someone for life is cheaper and perhaps more of a punishment than death would be, the death penalty is still justified in principle.
Literature Review
When it comes to the literature about the death penalty, there are different viewpoints but the overall trends and patterns when it comes to public opinion and the direction of the law around the world is pretty clear. Of course, there are obvious reasons why many countries have chosen the death penalty in the past. Whether it be about punishing for the nastiest crimes or following the "eye for an eye" motto, the reasons that exist are well established (Anckar). The reasons that people rail against the death penalty run the gamut. Some say that blacks and other racial minorities are disproportionately affected in terms of sentencing and impacts to families (Steiker & Steiker). Some say that even if the right criminals are caught and executed, there are pros and cons to using the death penalty as a proposed or actual deterrent to crimes that would precede it (Steiker & Steiker). However, there are sources that suggest that the viewpoints about the death penalty are commonly shifting and changing (Falco & Freiburger) (Shirley & Gelman). Many people are vehement and active opponents against the death penalty. Rather than target the states or federal governments that make use of the death penalty, some advocates and groups are targeting the companies who make the drugs involved in lethal injection so as to create a bit of a moral marketplace (Gibson & Barrett-Lain). Some say that the death penalty is not a deterrent anyway and others say it does not matter if it is given the supposed barbarism involved (Gius). Others say that many to most people who commit death penalty-level crimes are mentally ill and thus should not be executed (Hagan, Drogin & Guilmette). Europe in particular has led the charge against the use of the death penalty and groups like Amnesty International have been along for the ride (Sithole)
Analysis
Even if the United States decides to capitulate to the "conscience" of the world, there are several points of argument that the author of this report would put forward. First of all, just because there is a "consensus" that the death penalty is barbaric or otherwise wrong does not mean that the United States is required to stop doing it. Indeed, it would seem that the countries of Europe and other areas of the world are trying to intimidate and bully drug companies and politicians in to believing that they will face consequences if they do not play along with the abolishment of the death penalty. For example, drug companies often operate internationally and there is the idea that the European Union or other governmental organizations of Europe or other civilized country areas will bring judgment or legal problems upon the companies that sell the death penalty drugs. When it comes to politicians, the pressure brought to bear on people who favor the death penalty are often demeaned and denigrated in very nasty and overt ways. This is not unlike global warming where skeptics of anthropogenic global warming are called "flat-earthers" and worse even while it is clear that data is being faked...
Capital Punishment in the United States Capital punishment is one of the comprehensive, but debatable punishments given to criminal offenders in the U.S. And many other nations across the globe. Capital punishment involves the issuance of the death penalty because of committing serious crimes like crime in the society. Capital punishment has received tumultuous public support touching both ends of the society with its authorization in thirty-seven American states. It is
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