Shouldn the death penalty be used against terrorists, who threaten the very foundations of society?
A. People who resort to violence to further their cause are often prepared to die for that cause. Recourse to the death penalty can enable terrorists to create martyrs of themselves for their cause. In such cases the death penalty may act as an incentive rather than a deterrent. Executions of terrorists can increase the likelihood of revenge killings and retaliation against the innocent, leading to further loss of life.
