>what does the death penalty actually achieve, with a high burden of proof (beyond reasonable doubt) that as a policy it actually benefits society as a whole.

>what does the death penalty actually achieve, with a high burden of proof (beyond reasonable doubt) that as a policy it actually benefits society as a whole. I think the death penalty does deter people from committing certain crimes. But many many people don't. (for the record, I also believe in abolishing the death penalty where I live where many innocent people fall victim to it). The problem is this isn't something you can really prove with scientific evidence. You can't do a double blind trial in separate societies with and without the death penalty. Not every social policy can be proven before it is enacted. Life just doesn't work that way. Evidence isn't always available for every possible option.