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Necessity or Redundancy? College Students' Perspectives on the Death Penalty in Taiwan
Mindy 12/22, 2024
Abstract
This study explores the perspectives of southern Taiwan university students on the abolition of the death penalty, hoping to offer insights into generational attitudes amidst Taiwan's stand on capital punishment. An online questionnaire was the instrument of the study. Findings showed that over half of the respondents opposed abolishing the death penalty, with 60.7% citing its deterrent effect on serious crimes and 53.6% emphasizing its role in delivering justice to victims and their families. Conversely, some participants favored life imprisonment, pointing to ethical concerns, risks of wrongful convictions, and its potential for long-term societal value. This study underscores the complexity of the death penalty issue, influenced by moral, practical, and emotional factors, and highlights the importance of aligning the legal system with societal expectations to balance justice and human rights.
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I. Introduction
In a broader global context, many countries have repealed capital punishment. According to Amnesty International, only 55 countries still enforce the death penalty, with 23 of them having not used it in over a decade. The abolition of the death penalty is increasingly viewed as an international trend and a marker of a civilized society. Supporters of abolition argue that even criminals should be protected by constitutional rights. Author Chiang, Chih-Chun (2010) further asserted that retaining the death penalty does not effectively prevent crimes from occurring.
However, the issue is multifaceted. According to recent public opinion polls conducted by Chinese Association for Human Right, 83% of Taiwanese citizens oppose abolishing the death penalty. Looking back on 2024, several high-profile cases deeply shocked society. For instance, a junior high school student was intentionally murdered by a peer, and in another case, a man set fire to his home, resulting in the tragic deaths of nine family members. During heart-wrenching interviews, the victims' families evoked widespread public sympathy. Many individuals expressed their views online, advocating for the death penalty as a means of restoring justice for the victims. Opponents argue that the death penalty serves a purpose. The Death Penalty Information Center (2010, July 21) notes that prosecutors often use the threat of the death penalty as leverage to secure plea deals and cooperation. This suggests that capital punishment, despite its controversies, can have strategic value within the justice system. Author Li, Ying-Ru (2014, January 5) claimed that “Those who support the abolition of the death penalty are not the family of the victims, so it is hard to convince everyone with enough legitimacy.”
While many studies advocate for abolishing the death penalty and focus on supporting its abolition, research exploring perspectives that oppose this stance is noticeably scarce. This imbalance overlooks a significant aspect of public opinion. Moreover, as Taiwan confronts this divisive issue, it becomes essential to evaluate how current decisions will influence legal framework for future generations. Understanding generational attitudes particularly among youth, offers valuable insights into evolving perspectives. This study seeks to address the research gap by examining the opinions of college students at a national university in central Taiwan, and emphasizing voices that support retaining the death penalty. By amplifying the perspectives of young adults, Taiwan can work toward a more comprehensive and balanced approach to this polarizing debate.
II. Methods
This study surveyed college students from southern Taiwan university to explore their perspectives on the abolition of the death penalty. A total of 30 valid responses were collected. The gender distribution was 25% male and 75% female. Most of the participants were undergraduate students with a few graduate students. Including a variety of academic years from diverse disciplines, such as business (46.2%), arts and humanities (23.1%), interdisciplinary Degree (15.4%). Other departments include engineering, education, social sciences, natural sciences, and law. This diverse sample facilitated a comprehensive understanding of opinions across different gender, major, and academic year. Incorporate the perspectives from both newer and more experienced students.
The questionnaire comprised nine closed-ended questions and one open-ended question. The questions were grouped into sections based on their topics: section one covered participants basic information, section two addressed “Opinions and Attitudes,” section three focused on the “Effects of the Death Penalty and Justice,” and section four explored “Alternatives and Social Impact.” The closed-ended questions were designed as multiple-choice options to capture specific stances. The open-ended question which is part of the “Alternatives and Social Impact” section, aimed to gather more detailed and nuanced thoughts from participants. This allowed respondents to elaborate on their reasoning, providing deeper insights into their views.
The questionnaire was distributed online via the researcher’s personal social media platform, Instagram. Data from the nine closed-ended questions were statistically analyzed to identify trends and differences in opinions among CCU students. Percentages and averages were calculated to summarize the findings. Responses to the open-ended question were analyzed thematically to uncover recurring themes and sentimentally to assess the emotional tone, such as positive, negative, or neutral attitudes, providing insight into participants’ emotional perspectives.
III. Findings
The findings below are based on the analytical results of the questionnaire in two ways: statistical analysis of the nine multiple-choice questions and thematic analysis of the responses to the open-ended question. Direct quotations are included to highlight key insights and add depth to the quantitative data.
1. Results of Closed-Ended Questions
Over 50% of the participants oppose abolishing the death penalty. Furthermore, 32% of the respondents believe that life imprisonment is not a viable alternative to the death penalty. These findings reflect a clear opposition to the abolition of capital punishment. A deeper analysis of the reasons reveals that 60.7% of respondents view the death penalty as an effective deterrent against serious crimes such as murder. Additionally, 53.6% believe it provides justice for victims and their families. 57.2% of respondents expressed their concerns regarding the fact that if the death penalty is abolished, Taiwan's public safety would be at risk.
2. Results of Open-Ended Question
In this study, the participants were asked about whether they would accept life imprisonment as an alternative to the death penalty. The purpose of this question was to gather further insights from those who oppose the abolition of the death penalty. Since the majority of respondents disagreed with abolishing the death penalty, the expected answers were predominantly “No” or neutral responses (need to show the percentage%).
The results aligned with these expectations. Many participants emphasized the deterrent effect of the death penalty and its perceived necessity for delivering justice and closure to victims' families. Common responses included statements such as:
“Only the death penalty can provide justice to victims' families.”
“The death penalty deters crimes and ensures the safety of society.”
Additionally, there were widespread concerns about the implementation and enforcement of life imprisonment in Taiwan. Participants doubted whether "life" imprisonment genuinely means lifelong incarceration, expressing fears that offenders might eventually be released on parole. Representative comments included:
“Taiwan doesn’t have real life imprisonment; offenders can apply for parole after a certain number of years.”
“Prolonged incarceration may lead to re-entry problems, undermining societal safety.”
These findings indicate that participants are concerned about the viability of alternative punishments. If the death penalty were to be abolished, questions arise about whether such alternatives could adequately fill the gap left by its absence. Additionally, there is uncertainty about whether these alternatives would be acceptable to the public and capable of providing a sense of peace and safety.
IV. Discussion
Overall, the findings showed that the death penalty remains a contentious issue with strong public sentiment against its abolition. A significant majority of respondents (60.7%) believe that the death penalty effectively deters serious crimes, and 53.6% see it as reflective of justice for victims and their families. These findings underline the public's reliance on capital punishment as both a preventive measure and a mechanism for retributive justice, validating the argument that it holds a critical place in Taiwan's criminal justice system.
The results mentioned above primarily reflect the majority opinion. However, when examining the minority perspectives, some unexpected findings emerge. A few responses emphasized the human rights of criminals and highlighted the risks of irreversible judicial errors. These results suggest that this group of respondents is hesitant and questions the necessity of maintaining the death penalty.
Departing from existing research on the death penalty, most studies advocate for its abolition, questioning its effectiveness and raising ethical concerns about the right to take someone’s life. In contrast, this research examines the issue from the perspective of public opinion, focusing specifically on college students. Their views reveal opposing perspectives on abolishing the death penalty, representing voices that society often overlooks but are more significant than they might seem. The actions society takes now will directly influence the world the next generation will inherit. Therefore, the opinions of young people are crucial and deserve thorough examination.
In my opinion, the death penalty serves not only as a tool for negotiating terms with criminals and securing guilty pleas but also as a means of delivering justice and peace to the victims’ families. Moreover, based on the findings, it appears that society and our legal framework are not adequately prepared to handle the absence of the death penalty. If the death penalty remains part of the legal system, I believe its enforcement can uphold justice and bring peace of mind.
V. Conclusion
In this research, the majority of the respondents in southern Taiwan university oppose abolishing the death penalty. They view death penalty as essential for deterring crime and delivering justice to victims and their families. To shaping future policies, it is crucial to consider the voices of the youth, as they will inherit and shape the society of tomorrow. Their perspectives are invaluable in building a just and safe world for future generations. Abolish the death penalty without proper supporting measures, especially in the face of widespread public opposition, would not be a prudent choice. This study conducted a preliminary survey on college students' views regarding the retention or abolition of the death penalty. The results offer the public insights into the opinions of a segment of the younger generation, contributing to a deeper understanding of the significance and impact of Taiwan’s stance on this issue.
VI. References
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Chiang, Chih-Chun (2010). The construction of Taiwanese people’s intention to abolish the death penalty. Retrieved from http://fguir.fgu.edu.tw:8080/handle/039871000/1854
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Death Penalty Information Center. (2010, July 21). Five myths about the death penalty. Retrieved fromhttps://deathpenaltyinfo.org/five-myths-about-the-death-penalty
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Li, Ying-Ru (2014, January 5). The existence and abolition of the death penalty: the tension between human rights and justice. Retrieved from https://ir.lib.nycu.edu.tw/handle/11536/37272
VII. Appendix