The History of Political Violence - Is Capital Punishment Sometimes Acceptable?

Term Paper (Advanced seminar) , 2003 , 21 Pages , Grade: 1,7 (A-)

Business economics - Economic and Social History

The History of violence goes along with the history of Human Kind1. If someone have invariably felt that they had been wronged in some way, it was his or her right to take vengeance on the person that had wronged them. The crimes committed needed a punishment, but this violence needed also a juridical guidance, The Law. Amendments were made to reflect the changes in the society′s views on the morality of punishment, including the highest sentence of all: The Capital Punishment2.

The mental construction of the "an eye for an eye" policy exists today all around the world, but the actual use of this punishment enforced by law varies in form. It is all a question of a definition3. And it is also a point of view whose conclusions determine the destiny of a human life.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• The Definition and Origin
• The Approvement Of Death Penalty
  • The Punishment
  • The Effect: Deterrence
  • The Reparation…....
• The Opponents
  • The Innocent..
  • The Racism
  • Other Views
    • An Example: The Iran...
    • An Example: The United States of America..
• Resume...

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper explores the history and contemporary debate surrounding capital punishment. The author aims to delve into the origins, arguments for and against, and the current state of this punishment. The paper examines various cultural, legal, and ethical aspects of capital punishment.

• The history and evolution of capital punishment
• Arguments in favor of capital punishment, including deterrence and retribution
• Arguments against capital punishment, including concerns about wrongful execution and racial bias
• The role of capital punishment in different societies and legal systems
• The ongoing debate about the morality and effectiveness of capital punishment

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This chapter sets the stage by highlighting the historical prevalence of violence and the evolution of legal punishments, including capital punishment. It emphasizes the complexity and controversy surrounding this punishment.
• The Definition and Origin: This chapter defines capital punishment and traces its origins from early legal systems to the modern era. It discusses the cultural variability in applying this punishment and highlights the potential for judicial error, leading to a polarized debate.
• The Approvement Of Death Penalty: This section explores arguments in favor of capital punishment. It discusses the punishment itself, the potential deterrent effect, and the idea of reparation for victims and society.
• The Opponents: This chapter delves into arguments against capital punishment. It covers concerns about the execution of innocent individuals, the potential for racial bias, and the broader ethical implications of taking a human life.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

Capital punishment, death penalty, history of violence, deterrence, retribution, legal systems, human rights, ethics, morality, wrongful execution, racial bias, judicial error, society, justice, punishment, global development.

• College: RWTH Aachen University (Economic and Social History)
• Course: The History of Political Violence
• Grade: 1,7 (A-)
• Authors: Robert Mihelli (Author), Verena Kettenhofen (Author)
• Publication Year: 2003
• Pages: 21
• Catalog Number: V20492
• ISBN (eBook): 9783638243513
• Language: English
• Tags: History, Political, Violence, Capital, Punishment, Sometimes, Acceptable, History, Political, Violence