Public opinion and the death penalty in south africa

TLDR: The role of public opinion in the formation of social policies has not been adequately assessed and the degree to which opinion leaders and the man in the street support the death penalty needs to be assessed.

Abstract: The role of public opinion in the formation of social policies has not been adequately assessed. In some cases public attitudes are highly congruent with progressive social ideals. In others public opinion has reacted strongly against attempts to introduce social reforms. The issue of capital punishment is a case in point. In the United Kingdom and the United States of America, it has been felt that in this area of criminal justice policy reform must precede public opinion. Capital punishment has been an integral part of South Africa's criminal justice legislation for many years and, contrary to trends in other western countries, the use of the death penalty has been gradually extended. The annual number of executions has risen steadily and is far higher than in other western countries. In response to these developments an abolitionist move ment, seeking to educate public opinion, has emerged. One of the major arguments for retention (and one that the abolitionists have had to face) is that the white electorate will not tolerate abolition. Public opinion in white South Africa does not wish the hangman to become redundant. The validity of this argument needs to be established. The degree to which opinion leaders and the man in the street support the death penalty needs to be assessed.