Honors Theses
Date of Award
Spring 4-19-2021
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Political Science
First Advisor
Miles Armaly
Second Advisor
Jonathan Klingler
Third Advisor
Charles Smith
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
Capital punishment has been a well-established, although extremely controversial, practice throughout American history. It has been the subject of much criticism and debate both nationally and globally, dating back to ancient times. This study intends to research the historical, legal, and social changes of capital punishment in the United States that have occurred since the dawn of the practice in order to detect any trends, and if so, whether these trends allow a realistic prediction of the future of capital punishment. The chronology of capital punishment is first examined in this study in order to indicate that the controversy surrounding the subject is not a recent matter. The trend of increasing restrictions on capital punishment from the Supreme Court is then analyzed in order to establish the probability of its bleak future. This study then demonstrates that evolving standards of decency have contributed to a shift in the language surrounding the capital punishment debate. Concerns over capital punishment’s ethicality, efficiently, disproportionate sentencing, and procedural issues have altered the public’s opinion and diminished support. As the public continues to become more aware of the flaws surrounding capital punishment, the debates continue to intensify, and the Supreme Court continues to restrict its eligibility and administration, this study reveals that the United States is shifting toward the direction of abolishing capital punishment in the future.
Recommended Citation
Lee, Laurel, "The Societal Impact of Capital Punishment and Its Future Role in Modern Day America" (2021). Honors Theses. 1896.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/1896
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