Various attitudes and passions like racism, revenge, religion and political power have supported the imposition of the death penalty.
The aim of this paper is answer the question whether the media, Christian religion and the policy of the United States of America bear full responsibility for the existence and the ongoing justification of the death penalty. These three institutions possess huge influence on the peoples´ opinions and form the three pillars of US pride. I will try to find my personal answer through isolating these pillars and explaining their efforts to evade the often required abolition of the death penalty.
There is no execution in the USA that is not accompanied by demonstrators - opponents as well as proponents.
So it was only a matter of time until the popular press recognized the controversial topic “death penalty” as their new pecuniary resource. “When citizens are confronted with the issue of capital punishment, be they jury members or other by – standers, they decide if death as punishment is applicable in that single case, or, more broadly, if it is in the interest of society at all. By – standers are not, in fact, neutral or impartial. As human beings they are shaped by their world outlook.”
As we all know the media plays a major role in this outlook and it is easy for them to indoctrinate peoples´ minds with their conviction of right and wrong.
The media tells us, sometimes subtly, sometimes directly, what clothes to wear, what car to drive, what music to like and maybe also what “monster” to send to death row.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Role of Media and Public Opinion
3. Racism and Institutional Bias
4. Political Interests and Judicial Strategy
5. The Influence of Christian Religion
6. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines whether the media, Christian religion, and United States political institutions bear primary responsibility for the ongoing justification and application of the death penalty. It explores how these pillars shape public opinion and maintain the status quo despite calls for abolition.
- The influence of media coverage on public perception and emotional indoctrination.
- The correlation between institutional racism and the disproportionate application of capital punishment.
- The use of the death penalty as a strategic tool in political election campaigns.
- The contradictory role of Christian scripture in justifying or condemning state-sanctioned executions.
- The intersection of power, money, and reputation in maintaining the capital punishment system.
Excerpt from the Book
The Role of Media in Shaping Attitudes Towards the Death Penalty
There is no execution in the USA that is not accompanied by demonstrators - opponents as well as proponents. So it was only a matter of time until the popular press recognized the controversial topic “death penalty” as their new pecuniary resource. “When citizens are confronted with the issue of capital punishment, be they jury members or other by – standers, they decide if death as punishment is applicable in that single case, or, more broadly, if it is in the interest of society at all. By – standers are not, in fact, neutral or impartial. As human beings they are shaped by their world outlook.”
As we all know the media plays a major role in this outlook and it is easy for them to indoctrinate peoples´ minds with their conviction of right and wrong. The media tells us, sometimes subtly, sometimes directly, what clothes to wear, what car to drive, what music to like and maybe also what “monster” to send to death row.
Murder, hate and death have always been topics that interest human beings – and it is unfortunately a part of everyday – life. News, reports and messages concerning these issues are broadcasted nationwide and through this they effect and influence public opinion. Today many even call for the return of open executions through television coverage. Reasons for this are not only human desire for sensations but also the media that keep criminals at an emotional distance through verbal degradation that involves labelling the condemned as sub – human species, such as “monster”, “animal”, “savages” or even “murderous Negro” (if a black man is accused of murdering a white woman). Therefore the “by – standers cannot transfer fellow –feelings to the accused because certain (…) passions like revenge, hate and abhorrence are so powerful that they block the formulation and transferral of compassion.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The author outlines the scope of the paper, identifying the media, religion, and political policy as the three primary pillars supporting the death penalty in the United States.
2. The Role of Media and Public Opinion: This chapter analyzes how the press commodifies the death penalty and influences public opinion through the emotional degradation of the accused.
3. Racism and Institutional Bias: This section investigates how systemic racism, fueled by political rhetoric and media framing, results in a disproportionate number of African-Americans on death row.
4. Political Interests and Judicial Strategy: The text discusses how elites and politicians exploit the death penalty as a political tool to secure reelection and gain public favor.
5. The Influence of Christian Religion: This chapter explores the historical and symbolic connection between Christian religious doctrine, "an eye for an eye" mentality, and the justification of capital punishment.
6. Conclusion: The author synthesizes the findings, arguing that the interdependency of these institutions creates a powerful mechanism that sustains the death penalty regardless of moral arguments for its abolition.
Keywords
Death penalty, capital punishment, media influence, institutional racism, political strategy, Christian religion, public opinion, American justice system, human rights, social indoctrination, abolition, biblical interpretation, judicial ethics, racial bias, emotional manipulation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this work?
The paper examines the institutional factors, specifically the media, religion, and politics, that support and perpetuate the use of the death penalty in the United States.
What are the primary thematic areas?
The study covers the social psychology of public opinion, the impact of systemic racism on judicial outcomes, the political exploitation of crime, and the role of religious ideology in moral justification.
What is the main research question?
The author seeks to determine if the media, Christian religion, and the policy of the U.S. government are responsible for the existence and continued justification of capital punishment.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The work utilizes a qualitative analytical approach, examining existing literature, statistical evidence regarding racial disparities in sentencing, and ideological critiques of cultural and religious discourse.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body focuses on how the media dehumanizes criminals, how politicians use the death penalty for career advancement, and how biblical interpretations are manipulated by both proponents and opponents.
Which keywords characterize this paper?
Key terms include capital punishment, institutional racism, media influence, political strategy, religious justification, and public policy.
How does the media specifically influence the death penalty?
According to the author, the media shapes public opinion by labeling the accused with derogatory terms, creating an emotional distance that prevents societal compassion and justifies the execution process.
What role does politics play in death penalty cases?
Politicians and prosecutors often use the death penalty as a strategic "ace" during election campaigns to project a tough stance on crime and gain public sympathy, effectively turning defendants into political instruments.
- Quote paper
- M.A. Nicole Gast (Author), 2002, Death Penalty in the USA, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/49819
