Here is the synopsis of our sample research paper on Capital Punishment: How Americans See It. Have the paper e-mailed to you 24/7/365.
Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 5 page paper looks at why Americans support the death penalty. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Page Count:
5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: RT13_SA913cap.rtf
Buy This Term Paper »
Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
penalty has been abolished by many nations around the world. One would think that the United States would ban the penalty by a constitutional amendment or something of that nature
in order to be in line with many other free thinking countries of today. The institution of the death penalty for its own sake-largely for retribution-is something that has
been virtually wiped off the map in the free world, with the expectations of a few nations. It stands to reason that the United States would follow suit. This has
not occurred. The fact that the penalty still stands is largely attributable to the fact that there is a great deal of support for it in American society.
American Demographics reports on several annual surveys conducted by Harris that demonstrates support for capital punishment ("The Death Penalty - American attitudes," 2001). The Harris poll indicates that there
had been an increase in support over a thirty year period when it peaked in 1997 ("The Death Penalty - American attitudes," 2001). At that time, about 75% of Americans
favored the death penalty ("The Death Penalty - American attitudes," 2001). While the support slightly fell off likely due to the development of DNA testing and the overturn of convictions,
two thirds of Americans still support capital punishment ("The Death Penalty - American attitudes," 2001). Why might Americans support the death penalty while other cultures have done away with it?
It is true that many democracies do not use execution as a punishment today. Of course, there are reasons why the death penalty is in place in America aside from
the opinions of the American citizens, but it is perhaps the case that Americans rely on several justifications to make their decisions. Deterrence, retribution, social control and other theories in
...