NCJ Number
87856
Date Published
1982
Length
259 pages
Annotation
This thesis investigates the association which may exist between capital sentences and executions (dependent variables) and politically disturbing events (independent variables).
Abstract
A study of country profiles and political histories identified 10 independent variables, including revolution, coup d'etat, assassination, military and civil rebellion, terrorism, civil and foreign war, tribal/regional and border conflict, corruption scandal, and migration. The study analyzed historically governmental recourse to the power over life and death, especially capital punishment, in conditions of political disturbance. It examined the works of philosophers, political theorists, and psychologists. In particular, the study discussed the longstanding United Nations' effort to limit the potential abuses of capital punishment, especially for political purposes. The study quantified the 10 independent variables and ran a series of bivariate analyses. The strongest relationship between capital punishment and politically disturbing events existed among countries of the predominantly developing regions of the world. Study data, chapter references, and a bibliography citing about 200 works are included. (Author abstract modified)