Checkpoint: Morality Of The Death Penalty
Pat Sullivan
Background
The death penalty has been a controversial matter in the United States since its inception, functioning as a significant topic of debate around justice, morality, and human rights. As of today, 27 states continue to allow capital punishment, and 1,585 people have been executed since the 1970s, with the majority occurring in Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia, Florida, and Missouri. While public support for the death penalty has varied over the years, in essence, it is steadily declining, with numbers indicating that, as of October 2023, only 53 percent of Americans were in favor, down from a high of 80 percent in September of 1994. This shrinkage reflects momentous shifts in the legal landscape, such as landmark Supreme Court rulings like Furman v. Georgia (1972) and Gregg v. Georgia (1976), temporarily suspending and reinstating the death penalty, respectively. Additionally, a growing awareness of systemic issues like racial bias and wrongful convictions within the criminal justice system is further fueling calls for reform.
In contrast to traditional punitive approaches, some citizens' values and principles emphasize equality, fairness, and the protection of human dignity. As it is rooted in ideals of social justice and solidarity, American social democracy advocates for policies that prioritize the well-being of all citizens and aim to reduce socioeconomic disparities. Central to this ideology is faith in the transformative capacity of education, healthcare, and social welfare programs to promote individual opportunity and societal progress. Moreover, social democrats prefer rehabilitation and reintegration over punishment, regarding crime as a manifestation of broader social inequalities rather than a moral failing of individuals. Some Americans seek to address the root causes of crime while fostering a more compassionate and equitable society through policies such as universal healthcare, free education, and strong social safety nets.
The death penalty has a complex evolution within the United States, with historical perspectives changing greatly over the centuries. Capital punishment has deep roots in American history, dating back to colonial times when legal executions influenced by European legal traditions took place as early as 1630. Early methods included hanging, firing squads, and electric chairs, with each era distinguished by changing attitudes towards crime and punishment. The 20th century saw significant transformations in public opinion and legal precedents, with the Supreme Court's rulings molding our modern framework for the death penalty. Despite ongoing debates and challenges, capital punishment remains a deeply ingrained element of the American criminal justice system.
Moral Dimensions
The moral dimensions of the death penalty are complicated, sparking disagreements over retribution, rehabilitation, human rights, and the effectiveness of deterrence. Supporters of capital punishment argue for punishment, claiming that it is a fitting response to egregious crimes and may provide a sense of closure for victims' families. However, their opponents challenge this ethical justification, contending that it perpetuates cycles of violence and vengeance. There is little empirical evidence that suggests the death penalty is more effective at discouraging crime than alternative forms of discipline. The National Research Council concluded that "research to date on the effect of capital punishment on homicide is not informative about whether capital punishment decreases, increases, or has no effect on homicide rates." The Council's verdict brings to light fundamental questions about the moral legitimacy of executing people due to conjectural assertions about deterrence.
Similarly, concerns about human rights and the sanctity of life are paramount to the debate's multifacetedness. The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares life an inviolable right and emphasizes every individual's innate dignity and worth. Inherently, capital punishment violates this principle because it allows the deliberate taking of human life. Furthermore, systemic injustices like racial bias, inadequate legal representation, and the risk of wrongful convictions riddle its application. Racial disparities persist at each phase of the procedure, with African Americans disproportionately represented among death row inmates and executions. The death penalty has an inherent arbitrary and discriminatory nature and provokes apprehensions about its compatibility with principles of equality and justice.
Today, there is increasing momentum for policy reforms that abolish or reform the death penalty. Abolition advocates reason that capital punishment is irreconcilable with respect for justice and human rights and champion its elimination from the criminal justice system. Supporters of reform suggest alternative sentencing and rehabilitation programs as possible alternatives. Among these methods are life imprisonment without parole, restorative justice approaches, and community-based interventions addressing the core motivations for crime. Restorative justice programs accentuate accountability, reconciliation, and healing for victims and offenders, enabling more holistic and compassionate justice. Community involvement and support networks are crucial in facilitating the reintegration of former criminals, offering second chances for constructive and meaningful lives.
Humanistic Values
Social democratic principles prioritize equality and fairness in the justice system, ensuring everyone is treated with dignity and afforded their fundamental rights–––the death penalty presents significant challenges to these humanistic values. Despite efforts to mitigate them, biases persist in applying capital punishment, and these disparities highlight the ingrained injustices in the system and undermine equal treatment under the law. As such, capital punishment contradicts social democratic values. The execution of individuals, particularly those who may be innocent or have mitigating circumstances, is a serious violation of their rights. Additionally, the death penalty's irreversible nature prevents the opportunity for rehabilitation, denying individuals the opportunity for redemption. While some can contend that the death penalty aligns with social democratic values of accountability and public safety, its contradictions and challenges within a social democratic framework are unquestionable. By perpetuating systemic inequalities, sabotaging human dignity, and prioritizing punishment over rehabilitation, the death penalty is in direct opposition to its core principles.
Summary
Promoting empathy and understanding within the criminal justice system demands a shift toward restorative justice approaches prioritizing healing, reconciliation, and rehabilitation. Restorative justice programs, such as victim-offender mediation and community-based initiatives, empower individuals to take responsibility for their actions while nurturing empathy and understanding among all parties. By centering the needs of victims and addressing the underlying causes of crime, restorative justice offers a more humane and practical alternative to punitive measures like the death penalty.
It is also imperative to rethink the death penalty's role in the United States through the lens of more humanistic values. Social justice and human rights advocates must challenge the status quo and push for policies that align with fairness, equality, and dignity for all. This endeavor requires an approach that addresses the death penalty's shortcomings and the problems that pervade the criminal justice system. The moral dimensions of the death penalty go far beyond matters of retribution and deterrence; they speak to the very bedrock of American society and its commitment to its people. By embracing different values and backing policy reforms, the system can become more just for all. Essentially, abolishing or reforming capital punishment is a moral imperative and a vital step toward realizing the promise of democracy and human dignity in our modern society.
