How Ethical Systems Change: Lynching and Capital Punishment

Slavery, lynching and capital punishment were interwoven in the United States. By mid-twentieth century these connections gave rise to a small but well-focused reform movement. Biased and perfunctory procedures were replaced by prolonged trials and appeals, which some found messy and meaningless. DNA profiling clearly established innocent persons had been sentenced to death. The debate over taking life to protect life continues. This book is based on a hugely popular undergraduate course taught at the University of Texas, and is ideal for those interested in criminal justice, social problems, social inequality, and social movements.