Gius, M. (2020). Using the synthetic control method to determine the effects of the death penalty on state-level murder rates. Justice Policy Journal, 17(2), 1-10. Web.
This study seeks to draw a parallel between the number of death sentences and the number of homicides in New Jersey. The main result provides an unequivocal claim of an increase in homicide rates with abolition or a decrease in capital punishment rates. Arguments are given for the increase in crime amidst the abolition of executions and the years of research by criminologists analyzed in the article (Gius, 2020). The article is relatively objective and published by a peer-reviewed source. The purpose of the article could be to recommend that the state bring back and reinstate the death penalty to reduce crime, especially murder.
It is the first time the synthetic control method has been used in researching this issue. The work provides an opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of such a method. It has implications for understanding the importance of the relationship between fear of the death penalty among criminals and their willingness to break the law. This relationship is relevant to the topic of interest and will be used in future work. The analyzed theses of multiple researchers, briefly presented in this paper, will help formulate a set of necessary arguments. Furthermore, the empirical technique and method itself will be used as quite effective and efficient.
Jones, R. C. (2019). The impact of reviving the federal death penalty. News@TheU. Web.
The article is a compilation of the opinions of University of Miami lawyers on the effectiveness of the death penalty. However, there is little differentiation, and the general thrust of the article is to criticize the return of the death penalty and to ascribe discriminatory features to the judicial process. The article defines the implementation of the death penalty as a political tool and denies the increase in crime caused by the abolition of death penalties in some states (Jones, 2019). The source is not a full-fledged peer-reviewed resource, and the article is a regular Internet webpage, not an academic publication. For this reason, the reliability or objectivity of the source raises certain doubts.
After a thorough analysis of all sources and this article in particular, it was decided to minimize the use of this singular source in future work. This decision is made due to the fact that the reasoning, statistical statements, and opinions cited do not have any documentary or academic support. The article itself is more like a political instrument, focused on earning political points in front of the electorate by specific political forces rather than on actual research or the fight against crime.
Sato, M. (2022). Politics of international advocacy against the death penalty: Governments as anti–death penalty crusaders. International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy, 11(3), 1-11. Web.
This study examines the international practice of abolishing the death penalty in the format of a search for the fundamental political goals of countries. It is argued that much of the advocacy is very superficial and serves only political ends rather than the fight against crime or human rights (Sato, 2022). Several governments are examined in the concept of moral crusaders, and reputational bonuses to political forces for fighting against the death penalty are emphasized. The lack of attention offered to the problem itself at a time of political substitution of concepts and interests is highlighted (Sato, 2022). The source is published in an electronic peer-reviewed journal and includes an abundance of processed academic information.
Given the reliability and objectivity of the source, its use in further research is mandatory. Its purpose in exposing the falsity of specific political moral crusades is essential to understanding the question of abolishing or allowing the death penalty in general. After reading this article, a deeper understanding of the issue and the importance of adequately assessing the motivations of public figures are formed.