The topic on capital punishment, particularly death penalty remains debatable. In fact, different people have different opinions on death penalty and as such it is widely debated. The main question that arises is, “Should people be sentenced to death?” The topic, therefore, has two contrasting sides. Whereas some people view death penalty as inhuman and a violation of human rights, other also have enough reasons to justify death penalty. As such, there is an endless debate on whether or not death penalty is the right thing to do. This paper presents an argumentative essay providing reasons for and against death penalty.
In terms of statistics, the U.S has had over 1,888 people executed to death between 1977 and 2009 either as a result of murder, espionage, treason, and other capital offenses. Moreover, Amnesty International adds that death penalty increased by over 15% in 2013 compared to 2012.Of the 80% cases of execution, Iraq, Iran, and Saudi Arabia are topping the list. In regards, pro death penalty believes that capital punishment is a vital tool for preserving law and order. In fact, it helps in curbing crimes and it is more cost effective than life imprisonment. In their opinion, death penalty offers justice to the victims and helps the grieved families to come to terms with the situation. Besides, it also ensures that culprits of outrageous crimes do not have another opportunity to cause more tragedy in future.
Conversely, opponents of death penalty have mores reasons to justify abolishment of death penalty. First, they argue that death penalty is an ultimate denial of human right. While it may be done in the name of justice, death penalty is a cruel, inhuman, cold-blood killing that should be abolished. According to a report by the Amnesty International, death penalty violates the basic right to life enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They argue that no matter the type of crime, death penalty should not be an option.
Moreover, the lack of scientific research report that proves that death penalty can deter crimes makes it blatantly invalid conception. In other words, there is no evidence on whether capital punishment can deter future crimes in the societyNo Evidence for Deterrence. As such opponents argue that crimes in the contemporary society are crimes of passion and that most of them are unplanned. Accordingly, crimes resulting from rage and anger are non-premeditatedand, therefore, cannot be reduced through capital punishment.
Works Cited
Amnesty International. Abolish the Death Penalty . 2014. http://www.amnesty.org/en/death-penalty. 6 November 2014.
DezhbakhshJ, . H., Rubin P. H., Shepherd J. M. Does Capital Punishment Have a Deterrent Effect? New Evidence from Post-moratorium Panel Data. Sirrine, 2008. http://www.cjlf.org/deathpenalty/DezRubShepDeterFinal.pdf.
Dieter R. C. The Continuing Arbitrariness of the Death Penalty . Washington DC: DPIC, 2011. http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/documents/StruckByLightning.pdf.
Donohue J., & Wolfers J. "The Death Penalty; No Evidence for Deterrence ." 2006. http://users.nber.org/~jwolfers/policy/DeathPenalty%28BEPress%29.pdf.
ProCon.org . Should the Death Penalty Be Allowed? 5 November 2014. http://deathpenalty.procon.org/. 6 November 2014.
