- Question
Should the death penalty be abolished?
Capital punishment is the government-sanctioned execution of an individual as retribution for a crime. Although most countries have abolished death penalty sentences, many retain this practice, including the United States, China, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. Should we abolish the death penalty, or support each government's right to punish crime as it sees fit?
Yes, we should abolish the death penalty
This position holds that the death penalty should be abolished. It argues capital punishment disproportionately targets racial minorities, the poor, and the mentally ill, that wrongful convictions are common, that it wastes taxpayer money, and that it violates the sanctity of life.
No, we should not abolish the death penalty
This position holds that the death penalty should not be abolished. Its arguments contend that it delivers justice for the gravest crimes, deters offending and saves lives, gives victims' families closure, and affirms the value of human life by punishing murder with the ultimate penalty.