A critical analysis of the arguments for and against the use of the death penalty as a means of penalising serious criminal offences

Abstract

This dissertation provides a critical analysis of the arguments for and against the use of the death penalty as a means of penalising serious criminal offences. First it sets out the general theories of punishment that influence individual governments before considering what the death penalty consists of, and in doing so, recognises that its use is considered to be somewhat polarising. Then, more specifically, it evaluates many of the arguments to have been raised, both for and against, regarding the use of the death penalty and the position in the United States of America (US) in view of the issue’s association with the country. On this basis, due to its severity as a means of punishment, it is then also considered whether or not life imprisonment is a viable alternative for dealing with the perpetrators of serious criminal offences in a given jurisdiction.