Effective Death Penalty Abolitionist Rhetoric: A Quantitative Analysis of What Works

Abstract

This essay reports the findings of a study designed to measure the effectiveness of anti-death penalty rhetoric at decreasing support for the practice. Demographic factors, such as gender and political affiliation, were also analyzed for potential causal relationships. The surprising results of this novel study will help inform abolitionist advocates as to the best practices for promoting their message. Furthermore, the findings invite future research into death penalty attitudes and advocacy.

Keywords: Capital punishment, Death penalty, Eighth Amendment, Cruel and Unusual Punishment, Race, Innocence project, Cost,