There are many issues in the society that are subject to controversy. Different opinions and different views promote their own arguments based on different researches and polls. This controversy can sometimes reach cultural and political division, a phenomenon that can be witnessed through the liberal and conservative media in the US. Nevertheless, when such controversy concerns the life of other human beings, it can be said that such controversy goes beyond mere difference in opinions. In that regard, taking such issues such as euthanasia, abortion and capital punishment, the latter can be considered as the most delicate, especially considering many cases that represent exceptions that are feared to be repeated. This paper, analyzes the issue of capital punishment, stating that although there are exceptional cases in which capital punishment is justified and should be implemented, the imperfection of judicial systems leaves possibilities for errors. Thus, banning capital punishment even considering the exceptional cases leads to less harm, so accordingly should be favored.
Overview
Capital punishment, or death penalty can be defined as “the lawful infliction of death as punishment” which has been used in the US since 1608 (“The Pros and Cons of Capital Punishment in the USA”). The US statistics show that death penalty is practiced in 35 states, where as of 2009 the number of executions performed was 32 with the highest number being 98 in 1999 (Death penalty information center). In a poll conducted in 2006, the support for death penalty was 65%, whereas with the option of a life sentence without a parole the support for death penalty and the life sentence without a parole were 47% and 48% respectively (Death penalty information center).
Arguments against Death Penalty
The arguments against the death penalty vary in their direction, but nevertheless maintain several strict approaches, i.e. human rights, crime deterrence, and the possibility of innocent people being executed. Considering only these factors, it can be stated that the possibility of innocent people being executed is the most influential in terms of the consequences. In explaining such argument it should stated that human are prone to make mistakes, and the judicial system is based on humans. Thus, taking the slight possibility that an innocent life can be taken based on mistake, ignorance or bias is totally unacceptable. In terms of bias, such assumptions are very likely, especially in terms of race, where “In 96% of the states where there have been reviews of race and the death penalty, there was a pattern of either race-of victim or race-of-defendant discrimination, or both” (Death penalty information center). At the same time, regarding execution of innocents, it was found that “Since 1973, over 120 people have been released from death row with evidence of their innocence” (Death penalty information center).
Arguments for Death Penalty
Similarly, the arguments for capital punishment are many and differ in their approach toward the problem. In that sense, these arguments can be summarized as retribution, and removing criminal elements from the society (“The Pros and Cons of Capital Punishment in the USA”). According to other factors such as costs of and deterrence, are not controversial, as it has been proved through studies and statistics that death penalty did not lower crime rate, but in contrary “states without the death penalty have had consistently lower murder rates” (“Deterrence”), and at the same time death penalty was found much expensive than life without parole because of the long processes for capital cases (“The High Cost of the Death Penalty”).
In that regard, such factor as retribution is based more on the personal opinion and the involvement in the case. It should be said that the principle of an eye for an eye will not return the victim, and at the same time emotions can drive people through their judgments, taking in consideration that a life in prison “without a parole” is a sufficient punishment. Additionally, the same principle of the imperfection of the judicial system makes it unfair that people are not equally punished for the same crime, i.e. taking different laws through different states. The punishment should not depend on the geographical location.
Conclusion
It can be concluded that this paper’s main argument emphasizes the principle of the least possible harm. Taking the worst case in both situations, i.e. executing an innocent and putting a murderer in jail for life, the worst consequences will be from the first case. Accordingly, it should be acknowledged that such discussions might not be understood from an individual point of view, and in that sense, the role of the judicial system to make sure to make objective judgments. The current trends in media coverage play a major role in the fact that the majority prefer to see the criminal executed. Such influence prevents seeing things objectively. Additionally, it should be acknowledged that as a personal opinion, the statement of this paper considers the preference of banning capital punishment only when the substitute is life without a parole.
Works Cited
- Death penalty information center. “Facts About the Death Penalty”. 2009. Death Penalty Info. Web.
- “Deterrence“. 2009. Death Penalty Information Center. Web.
- “The High Cost of the Death Penalty”. 2009. Death Penalty Focus.
- “The Pros and Cons of Capital Punishment in the USA“. 2009. Capital Punishment UK. 2009. Web.