The Death Penalty in America - Annotated Bibliography Example

The paper “The Death Penalty in America" is a dramatic example of an annotated bibliography on social science. The proposed list begins with Adam Hugo's "The Death Penalty in America: Current Controversies" (New York: Oxford University Press, 1997. Print). In this book, Adam Hugo presents a candid discussion on the controversies surrounding the death penalty in the USA. As he recounts, the death sentence has been a very contentious issue in the country. It has elicited a mixed reaction from different sections of society.

 While the pro-lifers who are its main opponents fiercely oppose it, its proponents argue that it is appropriate and should be applied so as to help in preventing the occurrence of capital offenses like murder, terrorism, and armed robbery. While conducting research on the death penalty, this book would have to be included. It has lots of important and relevant information that can be relied upon while conducting the study. Adam, Hugo, and Cassel, Paul. Debating the Death Penalty: Should America Have Capital Punishment?

The Experts on Both Sides Make Their Case. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005. Print.Here, the authors present an argument about the issue of the death penalty in the country. As they exclaim, capital punishment has not been agreed upon because there are parties that support it and those who oppose it. To shed more light on the death penalty, Adam Hugo and Cassel Paul provides a heated debate between philosophers, judges, magistrates, and prosecutors. The opinion held by these professionals can be of great value in understanding the merits and weaknesses of capital punishment in society.

For this reason, this book would be used in the research. The arguments of these scholars can help in understanding why capital offenders escape from prison and continue committing more murders. This is an important area that would be included as part of this research. Stuart, Banner. The Death Penalty: An American History. Boston: Harvard University Press, 2003. Print. Since its introduction, the death penalty has been warmly received and loathed in equal measure. A lot of queries have been raised if it is a moral, constitutional or inhumane act.

In this book, Stuart, a law professor provides extensive coverage of the history of capital punishment in the country. In chapter three of the text, he describes how several changes have been effected on this issue especially in the past four decades. He also goes ahead to look at the changes that have been implemented on capital punishment beginning from the 19th century to the present times. Based on this, the book would be used as part of the resources for research on the topic of the death penalty.

The research would rely on it for providing a background study on the chronological changes that have been experienced so far. After all, it is a relevant and authoritative book published by a reputable and credible law scholar. Editorial Board. ‘Shifting Politics on the Death Penalty.’ New York Times, JAN. 4, 2015. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/05/opinion/shifting-politics-on-the-death-penalty.html?_r=0 In this article, the CNN Editorial Board focuses on the politics surrounding the death penalty.

Since the US is a politically divided nation, many lawmakers have not been objective in their approach towards this matter. Instead, in most cases, they have been influenced by their political affiliation while making important decisions regarding the matter. For instance, unlike their Republican counterparts, the Democrats have been accused of being soft on criminals. However, this was rubbished in 1992 when President Bill Clinton denied presidential clemency to Rick Rector Ray who was then hanged in his presence.

A similar situation can be used to explain how politics has been influencing the legislations on the death penalty. The article is good for the research because it is relevant and contains important information that would constitute the research. Blum, Steven. "Public Executions: Understand the "Cruel and Unusual Punishments" Clause". Hastings Constitutional Law Quarterly 19, 1992 (2): 415.In this article, Blum Steve gives a legal perspective on capital punishment. As explained here, many convicts have been executed for engaging in capital offenses.

  Although such executions have been condemned by a section of the society, the author exclaims that it actually backed by law because there are clauses that put a limitation to liberty rights such as the right to life. Therefore, the article would be a resource in the research because it contains relevant information that needs to be included. Kyung Lah ‘Serial killer Joseph Paul Franklin prepares to die.’ CNN. November 19, 2013.In this video, Kyung Lah presents an elaborate interview he had with Franklin Joseph Paul who was a serial killer convict awaiting death row in Missouri.

In the interview, the serial killer boldly explains how he has managed to indiscriminately kill 22 people. This is a very disgusting interview that portrays Franklin as a heartless individual who destroys the human soul without caring about it. Such an interview can also be a very resourceful source of information for understanding the magnitude of capital offenses and how harshly they should be punished. Therefore, it would be included as reference material for the research.