
Capital Punishment in the United States in the 21st Century
Introduction Capital punishment, often referred to as the death penalty, remains one of the most controversial aspects of the American justice system. While more than two-thirds of the world’s countries have abolished it in law or practice, the United States continues to apply it in certain jurisdictions. The 21st century has witnessed significant changes in how the death penalty is used, debated, and reformed in the U.S. Some states have abolished it entirely, others continue executions regularly, and nationwide public opinion has shifted considerably. This essay examines the practice of capital punishment in the United States in the 21st century through four main lenses: (1) the legal and political framework, (2) statistical trends and execution data, (3) social and ethical debates, and (4) the future of the death penalty in…