Death Penalty Analysis

There is no doubt that moral issues are critically important, and everyone knows it. However, people choose not to consider matters that are not affecting them directly. The issue of the death penalty is quite controversial, and it influences different spheres of human life. In addition, the question is highly debated; people have various points of view and arguments for and against the death penalty. Such ambiguousness is caused by the fact that results of the death penalty cannot be changed. Furthermore, the object of such process as the death penalty is the most valued thing, namely human life. Considering the moral aspect of the analyzed theme in our 3000 word paper the possibility of judicial mistake, the lack of preventive measures as well as social, economic, and political issues, the death penalty should be prohibited in all countries of the world.
First of all, one of the main reasons for the abolition of the death penalty is the fact that human life is of the utmost value. Moreover, one person does not have the moral right to take the life of another person. According to the International Commission Against the Death Penalty, “The death penalty is incompatible with human rights and human dignity” (“Why the Death Penalty”). That is why in order not to decrease the level of immorality in society, the death penalty should be prohibited.
Another reason that should be taken into account is the possibility of judicial mistake. Unfortunately, the judicial system is not perfect, and mistakes are made rather often. Innocent people can be put in jail without committing a crime. As a result, in case of the capital punishment application, innocent people might be killed. On the contrary, if additional details of the case appear, the condemned person may be let out of the jail if their innocence is proved. For instance, in 1976, 138 innocent men and women in the United States have been determined as innocent right before the verdict implementation (“The Facts”). Nevertheless, if the death penalty is implemented, such changes cannot be done, and there is no rebound force of the judgment. Thus, the capital punishment includes a considerable risk of killing innocent people.
One more important reason why the death penalty should be prohibited is the fact that death is not giving an opportunity for the prisoner to feel guilty and repent the non-legal actions done. According to the General Assembly of the United Nations, “there is no conclusive evidence of the deterrent value of the death penalty” (“Why the Death Penalty”). However, the main purpose of punishment is making the person think and realize own guiltiness. In addition, the penalty is a negative example and a threat of future illegal actions of the same type. It is necessary to emphasize that life imprisonment is much more terrifying for people than the death penalty. Therefore, life imprisonment would be much better preventive measure for future crimes. According to statistical data, the prohibition or implementation of the death penalty has no effect on the murder rate in the country (“98 Countries”). Consequently, the results of the previous murder done cannot be eliminated, and there is no need to kill the person if it does not prevent the future killing.
Analyzing the necessity of forbidding the death penalty, one should stress social and economic criteria. Considering that people that are being judged for the same crime may have different levels of income and belong to different social groups, they have unequal opportunities for the protection by law (“98 Countries”). Therefore, there is a threat of social and racial discrimination. People with low and middle level of income have fewer chances to hire highly qualified attorneys and lawyers in order to be discharged. Conversely, individuals that have more social and financial opportunities can be protected by qualified attorneys with rich experience in such cases. Thus, there may appear social and economic inequality of the defendants.
One of the core statements in favor of the prohibition of the death penalty is the international experience. Political relationships of the country on the international political arena are essential for its comprehensive development. According to Amnesty International’s report, by 2013, approximately two-thirds of the countries on the entire globe have already abolished the death penalty in their legislation systems (“98 Countries”). In addition, there are 98 countries that have already prohibited the death penalty for all types of crimes (“98 Countries”). The majority of countries that support such strategy are well-developed and prosperous. They include the countries of Western Europe and Americas (“98 Countries”). Brazil and Chile have abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes (“98 Countries”). They apply the punishment rather rarely in unique cases of severe crimes. Moreover, some countries do not implement the death penalty for many years in spite of the fact that the legislation of such countries still permits such type of punishment. Consequently, the countries that wish to develop in the social and political sphere and maintain their international relationships should definitely deny the death penalty.
Regardless of the aforementioned reasons, many individuals support the death penalty. However, the rejection of the listed proofs can be made basing on the economic factor. Lifetime prisoners are being financed by the government for many years. The state government is giving the food, shelter, and clothes for the prisoners. It is a considerable amount of the state expenditure. Consequently, the assumption can be made that it is very expensive to hold the prisoners for many years instead of applying the death punishment. The economic criterion is significant in the process of viewing the death penalty abolition. There is no doubt that it is much cheaper to implement the death penalty than finance the prisoners for a long time. However, there is an effective solution to the problem. The prisoners can be engaged in various production processes and complete beneficial work for the state manufacturing. In such a way, the individuals will be working for the country that is financing their staying in prison. As a result, the prisoners can contribute to the state economy.
Another argument in favor of the death penalty is the fact that usually people that are sentenced to the capital punishment have committed serious crimes such as killing someone on purpose or even series of murders. These individuals are mostly not likely to feel the guilt and change their attitude to life. Therefore, when they are released from prison, there is a high chance that they will commit the crime again. As a result, innocent people may get into considerable danger. However, it is important to emphasize that all people deserve a chance to improve their lives and realize their mistakes. That is why the death penalty should be eliminated from the list of punishments.
All things considered, the death penalty should be definitely forbidden all over the world. It refers to many aspects of human life, including moral development of society, social and racial protection, and economic and political situation in the country. That is why the question of the death penalty prohibition has been viewed from different sides. The most important reason why the capital punishment should be prohibited is the moral one. Also, it was proved that the death penalty does not benefit the decrease of the crime rate in countries where it is legal. In addition, there is no economical cause for such penalty, and from the political point of view, the death penalty has a negative effect on international political relationships. The last but not least reason for the eradication of the death penalty is the fact that it does not prevent future crimes. Thus, one can come to the final conclusion that the death penalty should be abolished all over the world because human life is the core value and should be respected without exception.