The Death penalty in the US

Abstract

In the course of American history, nearly 15.000 people have been executed under civil authority. While the use of execution has declined throughout most of the First World, the USA remains as an exception ? the only democracy ? where belief in the utility of capital punishment as the ultimate deterrent is not only active, but is also frequently put into practice. Between 1976 and 1993, 226 executions took place. There were only 11 executions until 1983.