Pros And Cons Of Capitol Punishment

14 Pages 3603 Words

the death penalty. In

1984, individuals who give greatest support to capital punishment were found to

be older, white, male, rich, urban dwellers, politically independent, and religious

believers. The numbers appear to increase when people perceive the crime rate

as increasing.


There’s something comforting about a traditional debate. You know where

you stand. You have passionate feelings about the topic. You could bring up a

million different reasons why you’re right and the other person is wrong. And you

know they’re wrong.


The death penalty is one such debate. But as with many topics, it’s got to

be broken down. To ask: “Is the death penalty right or wrong?” is a ridiculously

large piece of philosophical pondering to handle. Let’s take it slow, one step at a

time. The proposition at bar: does the death penalty deter crime? Opponents

say no. They’re not unarmed. First, while we’ve seen a nationwide increase in

the number of executions, we haven’t seen much of a change in murder rates.

The murder rate was 8.8 in 1976, when the death penalty was made legal. From

1976-95, the murder rate hovered between 7 and 10. In 1995 there were 56

executions and the murder rate was right back where it started in 1976, at 8.

Little change means little deterrence. Second, people who commit capital crimes

aren’t thinking about the possibility that they might be put to death. Most capital

crimes are committed in the heat of a murderous passion - and most people

aren’t thinking clearly in that state.


But supporters of the death penalty see it as a very real deterrent. First,

simple economics say that people are less likely to engage in activities that have

high costs associated with them, and there is no higher cost than the chair.

While not everyone thinks that way, many people do, and they are the ones that

prove deter...