Argumentative Essay On Capital Punishment

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Capital Punishment is the subject of heavy debate in the political world, with many arguing against and for it for very different reasons. In terms of effectiveness, Capital Punishment is one of the most effective punishments devised by man and has been used historically for as long as mankind has had laws and governing systems. On the other hand, Capital Punishment can be viewed as cruel and barbaric and no longer relevant in modern society and justice systems. However in a world where violence and inhuman deeds are becoming more and more common, would it be wrong to begin using more violent methods for dealing with these criminals? Overall more lives can be saved by the execution of those that are guilty of violent and inhumane crimes. …show more content…

Capital Punishment is not a new sentence either, it has been around for as long as man has had law. Though the manner in which the accused were executed and the crimes for which they must first commit have changed over hundreds of years, the basics of Capital Punishment have stayed the same. The first notable examples of the death penalty being used in law appeared in the ancient Middle Eastern kingdom of Babylon. Their king, Hammurabi, would become one of the most famous men in history for the laws he would create and enact upon his people. The set of laws he created became known as Hammurabi’s Code and were used as a basis of law in many of the ancient kingdoms. Other very notable codes of law which were based on Hammurabi’s Code include the Hittite Code, the Draconian Code, and the Roman law of the Twelve Tablets. The death penalty was used in much the same manner for most of European history, spanning from the ancient kingdoms of Rome, Macedon, Persia and Carthage, all the way to the medieval kingdoms of France, England, and Spain. A notable change in the system of Capital Punishment occurred when William, Duke of Normandy, forbade the death penalty from being used except in times of war. However, despite how noble his attempt may have been, his laws did not …show more content…

When polled, over 50% of all Americans believe the death penalty should be used in the justice system. One of the arguments from people who support the death penalty is the effectiveness of the punishment. Once it is used there is a guarantee that the person guilt of the crime will no longer be able to commit that crime nor any other crime. Also many people feel that the death penalty is morally justified in that people who would be sentenced to the death penalty, such as murderers or rapists, would then be repaid in kind from a moral standpoint. From an economic standpoint Capital Punishment may benefit the prison system. By executing prisoners serving life sentences the state could possibly save years worth of funds that would have otherwise been spent on keeping those prisoners alive. These funds could then be devoted to other government institutions, such as schools or

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