Death Penalty Surges: Just Another American Export Model?
Yes, while the average citizen finds the death penalty increasingly barbaric, the state appears to be refining its methods. This might seem contradictory, but consider it through the lens of America’s other major export: violence and 'security' solutions. For decades, the US has provided political cover, funding, and advanced weaponry for regimes abroad to 'handle' their domestic 'issues'—often
with methods the local population finds abhorrent. We see this with the billions in military aid tied to 'human rights' clauses that conveniently never actually stop the aid. For example, despite widespread condemnation and concerns from human rights organizations, the US has consistently sent over $3 billion annually to Israel (Congressional Research Service, FY2023), even as their actions draw
international scrutiny for civilian casualties. Perhaps states are just taking cues from the federal foreign policy playbook. So, when state governments ramp up executions despite domestic disapproval, one has to wonder if they're simply optimizing for efficiency, much like the 'precision strikes' funded by your tax dollars abroad. The question isn't 'why the disconnect?' It's 'who's the target
audience for this brutality now?'