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Causes of the Death Penalty

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Submitted By jmpelo
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The death penalty remains one of the most controversial issues, not only in the United States, but around the world as well. The debate on the death penalty is not new in the world, considering the death penalty has been used as a method of punishing criminals for several centuries, although it may have gained momentum in the twentieth century with the human rights movement (Fagan). Those in support of the death penalty mainly consider the causes, while those who oppose the death penalty mainly consider the effects. The main cause behind the death penalty, has to do with retribution (Fagan). In whichever view the death penalty is considered that the reasoning behind it is that individuals who have committed a capital crime should receive similar punishment that equals their crime. Tracing the historical development of the death penalty, it is evident, that with time, being put to death became a common form of punishment, that ensures that those who had committed crimes that were not forgivable by the society, received punishment equal to the crime (Muhlhausen). The death penalty is deeply rooted in justice as articulated by natural law, however goes against the same law. According to the natural rights theory, every human being has the right to lice and should not be denied this right, either by the government, or any other manmade law (Fagan). However, the death penalty is used as a form of punishing those who have committed crimes against natural law, such as first degree murder. A second reason for having the death penalty would be regarding the legal issues. Many people know that if someone breaks a law by means of stealing or killing that person will be punished. In most countries that have capital punishment, it is used to punish only murder or war-related crimes (Death Penalty Laws). In some countries, like the People's Republic of China, some

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