Paper Summary:

This paper examines the death penalty in the context of the execution on December 30th 2006 of Iraq's ex-president Saddam Hussein. It begins with a brief background of the death penalty (including its history and varying methods used globally) and a brief biography of Saddam Hussein (with an emphasis on his crimes). The pros of executing Hussein are then detailed with reference to how it may act as a deterrent and to how it may be seen as a form of retribution and punishment for his crimes. The paper also looks from the other side at Hussein's execution, paying attention to capital punishment cons such as its possible arbitrariness, wrongful convictions, cruelty and ineffectiveness. The paper tries to be original in that as well as covering all the usual perspectives and attitudes to the death penalty, Hussein's case is presented fairly without prejudice and with a range of varying political (conservative versus liberal), religious (Christian versus Islamic) and personal opinions (including the views of people from all over the world and the authors).

From the Paper:

"The 'death penalty' is also known more formally as 'capital punishment' and is the execution of a person who has been convicted in a country's court of law, usually for offences deemed to be of the highest order (known as 'capital crimes' or 'capital offences'). It has probably been around since the apparatus of society needed for it to exist (citizens, the state and courts) has been around. Indeed, the first death penalty laws date back to the 18th century BC in the code of King Hammaurabi of Babylon, which codified the death penalty for twenty-five different crimes. Methods for execution included crucifixion, drowning, beating to death, burning alive and impalement. Historical records show that various primitive tribal communities likely used something similar to the death penalty too. Contrary to popular belief, there was not necessarily a greater rate of executions per capita in such times than at other times. Pre-medieval times were characterized by small communities and members of the community were often reluctant to put to death other members because it would weaken the community and the most heinous crimes such as murder were usually crimes of passion anyway. Financial compensation and isolating the perpetrator of the crime were usually considered sufficient punishment."

Sample of Sources Used:

• (2006, December 30th, 2006, December 30th). "Iraq: Amnesty International deplores execution of Saddam Hussein." Retrieved 1/1/2007, 2007, from http://news.amnesty.org/index/ENGMDE140432006.
• Beccaria, C., Voltaire, et al. (1778). An essay on crimes and punishments. Philadelphia, Printed and Sold by R. Bell.
• Center, M. S. U. a. D. P. I. (2006). "History of the Death Penalty." Retrieved 1/1/2007, 2007.
• Giddens, A. (1997). Sociology. Cambridge [England], Polity Press.
• News, B. (2006, Saturday, 30 December 2006, 05:37 GMT). "Obituary: Saddam Hussein." Retrieved 1/1/2007, 2007, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/1099005.stm.

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