FREE Capital Punishment: The Abolitionist View Essay (original) (raw)

"Historically, the death penalty always has been with us in some fashion. In ancient times, it was meted out of those who propagated radical ideas that threatened the political establishment. The death penalty has existed throughout the course of our nation's history and always has been a staple of our judicial system. In 1695, Captain George Kendall became the first adult to be executed in the Jamestown colony of Virginia. He was executed for being a spy for Spain." (Manning, Rhoden-Trader 23) The Supreme Court halted executions in the United States in 1972. Four years later in 1976, the Court authorized their resumption deeming the death penalty constitutionally permissible. Between 1977 and 1999, 596 prisoners were put to death, most of them in the 1990s as the pace of executions picked up with a record of 96 in 1999. The nation's death-row population now numbers more than 3, 335 inmates. Capital punishment, or the death penalty, has again become a basic fact of American criminal justice. In essence, capital punishment is the lawful taking of a person's life after conviction for a crime. (Henderson 3) "Despite some two-hundred years of debate, capital punishment remains one of the most hotly contested and widely discussed topics of bother public and academic discourse. Scarcely a week goes by without a new political or legal issue, murder case or impending execution fuelling the fires of controversy." (Smith 235) The death penalty has been the subject of many debates over its ethics, practicality, and legality. In order to understand how the left-wing abolitionist views the issue of capital punishment, one must have knowledge of how the opposition defends the death penalty. .
To conservatives, the punishment of death is a fear that needs to be known. More specifically, it is that fear that deters criminal activity. For the families of victims, the death penalty symbolizes justice by serving retribution on the murderers of loved ones.

1. Capital Punishment: The Abolitionist View

In essence, capital punishment is the lawful taking of a person's life after conviction for a crime. ... In order to understand how the left-wing abolitionist views the issue of capital punishment, one must have knowledge of how the opposition defends the death penalty. ... Abolitionists label capital punishment as cruel and unusual. ... Department of Justice suggests that capital punishment system is indeed racist. ... Quite to the contrary, capital punishment does not reduce crime. ...

2. Capital Punishment: The Abolit

ATL 130 04/12/2001 Capital Punishment: The Abolitionist View "Historically, the death penalty always has been with us in some fashion. ... In order to understand how the left-wing abolitionist views the issue of capital punishment, one must have knowledge of how the opposition defends the death penalty. ... Abolitionists label capital punishment as cruel and unusual. ... Department of Justice suggests that capital punishment system is indeed racist. ... Quite to the contrary, capital punishment does not reduce crime. ...

3. Capital Punishment

Capital Punishment in the United States Capital punishment is the legal infliction of the death penalty on persons convicted of a crime.... Amendments were made to reflect the changes in the society's views on the morality of capital punishment. ... Many argue that the use of capital punishment as a form of prevention does not work. ... (Vienneau 21-22) Abolitionists (people against capital punishment) claim that capital punishment does not deter murderers from killing or killing again. ... Most retentionists (people for capital punishment) argue that none of the statistical evidence...

4. Capital punishment

A strong case can be made in principle both for and against capital punishment. ... The most compelling argument against capital punishment is the risk of killing an innocent person. ... Corporal punishment, such as flogging, and extreme types of capital punishment such as burning at the stake, are no longer accepted practices because of their indignity so capital punishment should be abolished too. ... The classic lex talionis capital punishment points out several problems with this view. ... Immanual Kant says that capital punishment is not rooted in vengeance. ...

5. Non-Bias Pro Capital Punishment, The Ultimate Penalty

Perhaps the most frequent argument for capital punishment is that of deterrence. ... Early opponents of capital punishment objected to its brutality. ... In 1986, support for the capital punishment was 80% for and only 20% against. ... Even if capital punishment did not discourage crime, the simple fact that it will allow is vengeance with murderers. ... Capital punishment is such a volatile issue, and both sides are so deeply rooted in their views that they are willing to do almost anything to influence people to their side. ...

6. Capital Punishment Is Right Or Wrong

Capital Punishment: Is it right or wrong? ... Amendments were made to reflect the changes in the society's views on the morality of capital punishment. ... These crimes, even today, are still viewed as violent and should be punished with the highest degree of discipline available to achieve justice. ... Today's system of capital punishment is fraught with inequalities and injustices. ... (Stewart 1) Perhaps the most frequent argument for capital punishment is that of deterrence. ...

7. In Support of the Death Penalty

There are many ethical concerns involving the practice of capital punishment. ... Is the cost of capital punishment more expensive than life in prison? This argumentative essay in favor of capital punishment will investigate some of these concerns and show my opinion that reform of capital punishment is needed - not the abolition of it. ... Abolitionists argue that capital punishment does not deter criminals from illegal activity. ... After reading several of his readings my views seem to line up with his. ...

8. Why The Death Penalty Should Be Upheld

The Controversial Issue of the Death Penalty and Why It Should be Upheld Introduction Throughout history, capital punishment has been viewed as a highly controversial and emotional subject and almost everyone has his or her own opinions about it and I am no exception. ... Definition of Capital Punishment But, what exactly is capital punishment, the death penalty and does it violate any laws? According to Black's Law Dictionary, Capital punishment is "punishment by death for capital crimes" and they describe the death penalty as "Supreme penalty exacted as punishment for mu...

9. Death Penalty

Capital Punishment - Death Penalty INTRODUCTION It is true that the punishment of the crimes committed everyday should fit the crime, but to what extent? ... ON-GOING DEBATE Pro's The constantly changing views on this difficult issue led Supreme Court to abolish Capital Punishment in 1972. ... In some aspects, Capital Punishment goes against the eight amendment which forbids cruel and unusual punishment. ... WASHINGTON STATE & CAPITAL PUNISHMENT In Washington State the current death penalty was enacted in 1975. ... Capital Punishment is a very important part in today's so...

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