Social Issues; Death Penalty
Social issue Overview
A social issue is a problem that is influencing a significant number of people across the world. It can be discussed as an aspect of society that raises concerns, and it would be better if it’s changed. The raised concerns can be subjective or objective. Most importantly, the social issue exists due to diverse opinions where everybody seems to have their outlook on a particular subject. However, it is not a must for this issue to be solved, but rather it can be discussed. Social issue differs depending on societies, groups, nation, or the world. Some of the common issues include crime, violence, the death penalty, and racism. This issue affects society at large. Several reasons result in a social issue. Some of the common causes include inequalities in society and different communities having different perceptions about a particular problem.
Overview of the death penalty
The death sentence is the eventual punishment. There is no raspy punishment than death itself. Today around fifty-eight countries practice this penalty for those who have committed first-degree murder. People tend to think the death penalty will deter murderers. However, I believe that capital punishment does not deter murderers but instead increases the number of deaths, which is the reason I think that countries should outlaw this practice. Before I make my stand on this topic, I would like to provide some history concerning the origin and evolution of the death penalty.
The death sentence was first initiated in 18th-century B.Cs by King Hammurabi of Babylon. The king systemized death sentence for twenty-five different crimes. The reign Hittites in the 14th century were also associated with the death penalty. Draconian Code of Athens then made the death penalty as damnation for all crimes in the 17th Century B.Cs. During these ancient times, the death sentence was carried out by such means as impalement, burning alive, stoning, drowning, and crucification. In the 10th AD, Britain introduced hanging as regular tactics of execution. However, the following year, Henry William, the conqueror, banned hanging and execution of any other crime except in times of wars. The trend came to a stop under the reign of Henry. During his time, approximately 72000 people were executed. He used horrifying methods such as burning alive, boiling, beheading, and hanging. The main types of capital offenses during these times were not admitting to a crime, marrying a Jew, and treason. The cases of capital crimes kept riding in Britain, and by the 1700s, around two hundred and two crimes were punishable by death. Some of these crimes include robbery and cutting down of trees. However, from 1823 to 1837, Britain reviewed its reforms on the death penalty. Over one hundred crimes that were previously punishable by death were removed.
The death penalty was introduced in America by Britain, and then America becomes the leading country in the world to exercise capital punishment fully. When Europeans came to America, they brought the practice of death sentence with them. However, laws regarding the death penalty varied from state to state. The first execution in America happened in 1608 in Jamestown. George Kendell was executed for treason.
During the 19th century, the death penalty changed drastically. It started to become less popular. There were no longer public executions in states. They started executing those who have committed crimes in private. Pennsylvania became the first state to adopt this method. After a while, all other states abolished the death penalty. Several cases concerning death penalties went to court. People argued that the death sentence is cruel and unusual. Furm. V Georgia finally brought to an end of death in 1972. It was reinstated back in 1977 with the execution of Garry Gilmore. As of today, the United States still practices capital punishment but with regulations and limitations. Some of the modern ways of execution include electrocution, lethal injection, lethal gas, and firing squad.
While most individuals support the idea of a death sentence for their reason, which they entitled to, I think that the death sentence is an unjust and violent way of punishing criminals. No one, not even the government, bags a right to take another person’s life. So, I think those countries that are currently practicing death sentence should outlaw it. First of all, many individuals view the death sentence as a final warning to the criminals or that death sentence will deter crime rate. They argue the capital punishment reminds criminals that the consequences for their actions are death. The big question is, does it work? As we grew up, we all have had our moments where at one time, we made silly mistakes. Some also commit crimes because they are ignorant or aggressive; this doesn’t mean they wanted to commit a crime. I am not necessarily suggesting that they should be left scout free. But if they are sentenced to death, how could we possibly learn from their mistakes? There are a lot of rooms left for doubts. Maybe this person would have changed the lives of others who would have planned to commit the same crime. Therefore, death can never be the answer to crime.
Capital Punishment is Inhumane and Cruel
Most tend to believe that the death sentence is not often a cruel and violent act. For instance, the lethal injection method is not a profound way of execution. It’s more likely for the criminal to tolerate less pain, unlike the electric chair execution. But the actual truth is considering such a process means every minute is terribly long. We focus on the methods and forget about the mental health of the criminal l. It’s not just about physical pain. Fear and lack of freedom alone can ruin the psychological defenses, not to talk about other horrible methods such as burning and hanging. The case was the introduction of a firing squad and electric chair method. I don’t understand how some people would come up with such Inhuman and Cruel methods of punishing the criminals. I believe that educating and persuading people to avoid crimes is better prevention than killing people to Set an example for others in order to set an example for others; these will enhance security and promote the development of the nation.
No matter the circumstances, I would never agree with the court to pass a death sentence on a person who is the reason I consider it unjust and disregarding. When you look at it clearly, it does not make sense at all. There is no solution for killing someone for the murder of another individual. It is the same as adding a murder on top of another murder. Governments support to protect universal rights such as the right to life, but instead, it takes away. The way I see it, it is more of revenge than a solution. The core purpose of the judiciary is to protect and end the crime and not vice versa. Capital punishment can never be a solution to a crime. Past death sentences have not reduced the rate if the crime, people still kill and rob. Most people who are affected by this unjust law are the poor and the minority in society. Therefore, the government must come up with other methods to control crime.
The death penalty is said to produce an acceptable relation between violence and law. In many ways, war is inevitably linked with violence. The law punishes violent crimes. The irony is that the law also employs punishments that “violently” restrict individuals’ rights and freedoms. Even in philosophy, the law is always associated with crime, and its primary function is to preserve an ordered society from violent crimes. Everyone has an inalienable right to life, including those who have committed serious crimes like murder. Every human being is valuable. I believe that human life is precious that even the worse murderers still deserve to live. No one is supposed to take others’ lives.
Another most common and urgent debate against the death sentence is that sometimes innocent people get executed because of the flaws in the judicial system. Amnesty International stated, “The death penalty legitimizes an irreversible act of violence by the state and will inevitably claim innocent victims. As long as human justice is fallible, the risk of executing the innocent can never be eliminated”. There is a piece of evidence to support this statement. In 1973, one hundred and thirty Americans who were already executed were found to be innocent.
Alternatives to the death sentence
When considering the alternatives, the length of incarceration should not be the only issue to be weighed. Alternatives that will help reduce the rate of violence and murder should be considered. I believe prevention is way better. Through community policing rehabilitation, employment and patrol are all alternatives to the death sentence. The death penalty, without a doubt, costs millions of dollars. By eliminating death penalties, some governments can avoid unnecessary spending. This could be used in improving prisons or building rehabilitation centers.
Conclusion
Capital punishment should be abolished. It can never be a good lesson for criminals. It is an extremely cruel and inhuman way of handling a problem. Therefore, I think that the government should come up with other ways to deal with crime. For those who have committed capital, offenses should be locked up in prison for their entire lives. The government should also increase policing and patrol in order to prevent future cases of crimes.
Reference:
Yawar, S. A., & Seuring, S. (2017). Management of social issues in supply chains: a literature review is exploring social issues, actions, and performance outcomes. Journal of Business Ethics, 141(3), 621-643.
Bedau, H. A. (Ed.). (1998). The death penalty in America. Oxford University Press.
Garrett, B. L. (2019). Innocence and the global death penalty. In Comparative Capital Punishment. Edward Elgar Publishing.
Ulmer, J. T., Kramer, J. H., & Zajac, G. (2019). The Race of Defendants and Victims in Pennsylvania Death Penalty Decisions: 2000–2010. Justice Quarterly, 1-29.
Garrett, B. L., & Kovarsky, L. B. (2018). The death penalty. Foundation Press.