Chinese Netizens' Opinions on Death Sentences: An Empirical Examination

The death penalty is a controversial issue that has received much public attention and scholarly debate. China leads the world in both the number of death sentences and executions, despite not conducting a national poll on citizens' opinions. Chinese Netizens Opinions on Death Sentences: An Empirical Examination explores and examines Chinese netizens' opinions on the death penalty through a content analysis of 38,512 comments collected from 63 cases in 2015. The study examines the diversity and rationales of netizens' opinions, netizens' interactions, and their evaluation of China's criminal justice system. It also discusses China's social, systemic, and structural problems and critically examines the rationality of netizens' opinions based on Habermass communicative rationality framework.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 344 pages
\n Publication date: 15 November 2021
\n Publisher: The University of Michigan Press
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Few social issues have received more public attention and scholarly debate than the death penalty. While the abolitionist movement has made a successful stride in recent decades, a small number of countries remain committed to the death penalty and impose it with a relatively high frequency. In this regard, the People's Republic of China undoubtedly leads the world in both numbers of death sentences and executions. Despite being the largest user of the death penalty, China has never conducted a national poll on citizens' opinions toward capital punishment, while claiming "overwhelming public support" as a major justification for its retention and use.

Chinese Netizens Opinions on Death Sentences: An Empirical Examination uses a forum of public comments to explore and examine Chinese netizens' opinions on the death penalty. Based on a content analysis of 38,512 comments collected from 63 cases in 2015, this study examines the diversity and rationales of netizens' opinions, netizens' interactions, and their evaluation of China's criminal justice system. In addition, the book discusses China's social, systemic, and structural problems and critically examines the rationality of netizens' opinions based on Habermass communicative rationality framework. Readers will be able to contextualize Chinese netizens' discussions and draw conclusions about commonalities and uniqueness of China's death penalty practice.

The death penalty has been a contentious issue for many years, with proponents arguing that it is a just punishment for certain crimes and opponents arguing that it is cruel and inhumane. In recent decades, the abolitionist movement has gained significant momentum, with many countries around the world abolishing the death penalty or reducing its use. However, a small number of countries, including China, remain committed to the death penalty and continue to impose it with a relatively high frequency.

In China, the death penalty is used for a wide range of crimes, including murder, rape, and drug trafficking. According to Amnesty International, China executed more than 1,000 people in 2018, making it the world's largest user of the death penalty. However, the Chinese government has never conducted a national poll on citizens' opinions toward capital punishment, despite claiming "overwhelming public support" as a major justification for its retention and use. This lack of transparency and accountability raises concerns about the fairness and effectiveness of China's criminal justice system.

One of the key issues in the debate over the death penalty is the question of whether it is a deterrent to crime. Proponents argue that the threat of execution can deter potential criminals from committing crimes, while opponents argue that the death penalty is not a effective deterrent and that it can actually increase crime rates. There is limited empirical evidence to support either argument, with some studies finding that the death penalty is a deterrent, while others find that it has no effect on crime rates.

Another issue in the debate over the death penalty is the question of whether it is cruel and inhumane. Opponents argue that the death penalty is a violation of human rights and that it is cruel and inhumane to execute someone. They point to the high risk of error in the criminal justice system, as well as the potential for executing innocent people. Proponents argue that the death penalty is a just punishment for certain crimes and that it is necessary to protect society from dangerous criminals.

Despite the ongoing debate over the death penalty, there has been some progress in recent years towards reducing its use. In many countries, including the United States, there has been a shift towards life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, which is seen as a more humane and effective alternative to the death penalty. In China, there have been calls for the abolition of the death penalty, with some activists and scholars arguing that it is incompatible with China's commitment to human rights and the rule of law.

In conclusion, the death penalty is a complex and contentious issue that has received much public attention and scholarly debate. While the abolitionist movement has made significant progress in recent decades, a small number of countries, including China, remain committed to the death penalty and continue to impose it with a relatively high frequency. The lack of transparency and accountability in China's criminal justice system raises concerns about the fairness and effectiveness of the death penalty, and there is limited empirical evidence to support either argument about its deterrent effect or its cruelty and inhumane nature. As the debate over the death penalty continues, it is important to consider the human rights.

\n Weight: 566g\n
Dimension: 151 x 229 x 29 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780472038732\n \n