DEATH PENALTY

Death Penalty

Abstract

This paper discusses the death penalty and its pros and cons. The death penalty is commonly known as capital punishment, and has received much critique. The purpose of the paper is to look at both sides of the topic, and state the own view of the writer towards the end.

Table of Contents

Abstractii

Introduction1

Discussion2

Death Penalty in Different Countries2

Current and Past Methods3

Arguments for the Death Penalty3

Arguments against the Death Penalty4

Own Opinion6

Conclusion8

References10

Death Penalty

Introduction

The death penalty is regarded as the ultimate punishment for a crime. There is no greater punishment than the death penalty, also known as capital punishment. The debate and controversies linked with the death penalty are many. Some people believe that it is the only way to eliminate crime and bring justice to the victims. Others feel that it is too harsh and sometimes takes the life of those who are innocent. Unlike other punishments, the death penalty results in ending the life of the criminal unnaturally. This is the reason human rights organizations and other people feel so strongly about abolishing it. There are various methods that have been used to execute people under the death penalty. A number of countries have abolished the act; however, quite a few have kept it in practice to bring justice. In simplest terms, it is the alteration of social order in society.

Social change includes developing strategies to organize people or mobilize those who stare common interests. It also includes social movements, and all these are done by keeping a focus on law. Human rights, criminal justice and social change are all interlinked. Law is an integral part of social change as it monitors and ensures the society is safe and secure. How law contributes to developing social movements like fundraisers and associations, is the interesting bit (HLS, 2011). Institutions dealing with human rights, as well as others, promote their own opinion.

Discussion

Death Penalty in Different Countries

The death penalty was previously a part of the justice system in the majority of the countries around the world. The countries that no longer make use of the death penalty are:

• Australia

• Austria

• New Zealand

• Canada

• United Kingdom

• Spain

• South Africa

• Turkey

• Israel

• Germany

• France

There are a number of other countries like Denmark, Norway, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Sweden, Venezuela, Romania, Hong Kong, Cyprus, Philippines, Netherlands, Belgium, Brazil, Bhutan and Bulgaria that have also stopped using the sentence of death. There are 20 countries of the world that use the death penalty as the last resort or only punishment for criminals. The countries include: United States, China, India, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Tonga, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Belarus, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Mongolia, Cuba, Singapore, North Korea, and Malaysia.

Current and Past Methods

Capital punishment is not a new phenomenon, and has been around for centuries. The methods have changed, and possibly have become more civilized. The past methods used for the death penalty were burning, boiling, crucifixion, crushing, dismemberment, executive by elephants, sawing, impaling, flaying, breaking wheel, ...