The Elgar Companion to Capital Punishment and Society presents a multidisciplinary overview of capital punishment's influences, processes and outcomes across society. A global range of philosophers, social scientists, legal experts, political theorists and historians critically analyse the trajectory of the death penalty in both retentionist and abolitionist countries, underscoring how state killing remains a crucial issue worldwide.
The volume lays out the philosophical justifications for and against capital punishment, before examining the practicalities of the death penalty, including the roles of numerous legal actors before, during, and after a capital trial. Chapters assess the outcomes of the death penalty, documenting racial biases and erroneous sentences, as well as exploring exonerations and Life Without Parole. Finally, expert scholars compare the current status of capital punishment in 12 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, Central America and the Middle East, presenting nuanced perspectives on the topic from different cultural and political viewpoints.
This comprehensive Companion is a vital resource for students and scholars of criminology, criminal law and justice, law and society, and legal history. The discussions on cutting-edge legal questions surrounding the death penalty will also appeal to defence lawyers, non-governmental organisations, and advocates working in the field.
Industry Reviews
'A fluid melding of history, law, and social science, The Elgar Companion to Capital Punishment and Society is an essential resource for both advanced scholars and those new to the topic. Sarat and Fleury-Steiner have brought a distinguished group of scholars together to explore the contemporary status of the world's oldest form of punishment.' -- Daniel LaChance, Emory University, US
'This is one of the most comprehensive volumes to date on the application of the death penalty in the United States and around the world. Leading scholars on capital punishment have contributed chapters covering the history and modern application of the death penalty, highlighting the systemic biases and procedural irregularities that have plagued the death penalty since its inception. By providing a comparative analysis of 14 different countries' experiences with the death penalty, The Elgar Companion to Capital Punishment and Society also sheds light on the debates that have accompanied its use throughout the world. This volume is a must-have for any scholar or layperson seeking to understand the persistence of the death penalty in the modern era.' -- Sandra Babcock, Cornell Law School, US
'This comprehensive resource is an ambitious effort to describe the many complexities of the death penalty, the questions it provokes, and the people it affects. There are no easy answers here, but the authors provide context and scholarship that skillfully inform the debate. This is a valuable compendium for students and teachers who are interested in understanding why the oldest and most severe form of punishment continues to find popular support and use in modern day.' -- Robin M. Maher, Death Penalty Information Center and The George Washington University Law School, US
