How Policy Abroad Is Relevant to U.S. Death Penalty
- 8 years ago
How Policy Abroad Is Relevant to U.S. Death Penalty
Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - Kaufman Center
Though the death penalty's popularity has been in decline since the 1980s, a recent Gallup poll found that Americans are still largely supportive, with 1 in 6 in favor as punishment for murder. Legal in 32 states, it has come under renewed scrutiny in light of several botched executions in 2014. At the heart of the debate are many complicated questions. Within a flawed criminal justice system, is it possible to know every person's guilt with a sufficient degree of certainty? Does the fear of death reduce crime? Are there race and class biases in sentencing? Are some crimes so heinous in nature that punishment by death is the only appropriate measure, or is capital punishment always immoral? Should we abolish the death penalty?
Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - Kaufman Center
Though the death penalty's popularity has been in decline since the 1980s, a recent Gallup poll found that Americans are still largely supportive, with 1 in 6 in favor as punishment for murder. Legal in 32 states, it has come under renewed scrutiny in light of several botched executions in 2014. At the heart of the debate are many complicated questions. Within a flawed criminal justice system, is it possible to know every person's guilt with a sufficient degree of certainty? Does the fear of death reduce crime? Are there race and class biases in sentencing? Are some crimes so heinous in nature that punishment by death is the only appropriate measure, or is capital punishment always immoral? Should we abolish the death penalty?