An End to Killing Kids

This week, the US Supreme Court abolished the execution of juveniles, leaving only a handful of nations still using capital punishment for minors. While convicted adults still face the death penalty, the popularity of capital punishment may be waning in America. According to The Economist, recent developments indicate that the United States no longer wishes to be out of step with its allies and the world community on this issue. The US Supreme Court opinion on the matter specifically referenced "international opinion" as a factor behind its ruling. In other cases, too, the high court referred to a "wider civilization" that, in historically sharing Western traditions, may function as unofficial compass for US law. Not all lawmakers feel similarly, however, and on many issues, a wide gulf still separates US and world philosophy. – YaleGlobal