New Arguments against Capital Punishment?

One can hardly expect wholly new ideas in a debate about the death penalty. Still, from time to time superannuated arguments are refurbished and become prominent enough for reconsideration. Let’s see.

The least substantial of the arguments currently fashionable suggests that as various nations of the Western world—France, England, Germany, Italy—have abolished the death penalty, we should do the same. The Soviet Union and South Africa have kept it. We don’t want to be in that company do we? (Sounds like guilt by association, but never mind.)

EH

About the Author

Ernest van den Haag

Featured Tags

One can hardly expect wholly new ideas in a debate about the death penalty. Still, from time to time superannuated arguments are refurbished and become prominent enough for reconsideration. Let’s see.

The least substantial of the arguments currently fashionable suggests that as various nations of the Western world—France, England, Germany, Italy—have abolished the death penalty, we should do the same. The Soviet Union and South Africa have kept it. We don’t want to be in that company do we? (Sounds like guilt by association, but never mind.)