This thesis examines the violent colonial penal practice in VOC’s Batavia by comparing it with the penal practice in Amsterdam. This thesis argues that colonial penal practice is different compared...Show moreThis thesis examines the violent colonial penal practice in VOC’s Batavia by comparing it with the penal practice in Amsterdam. This thesis argues that colonial penal practice is different compared to the penal practice in the metropole in various aspects. Using various primary sources, this thesis identifies these differences in five fields: the legal codex, the persons directly involved in the event, the location of execution, the procedure of execution, and the spectators at the event. The thesis seeks to find the extent of the use of violent measures in colonial penal practice resembles that in the metropole and to what extent does it differ.Show less
South Korea still differentiates itself from many democracies in that it retains the death penalty. Thus, the research question guiding this thesis is the following: Why has South Korea still not...Show moreSouth Korea still differentiates itself from many democracies in that it retains the death penalty. Thus, the research question guiding this thesis is the following: Why has South Korea still not abolished capital punishment? Using discourse analysis, I examine the current state of the capital punishment issue and the factors prolonging retention in recent context. I suggest that political elites’ passive attitude and reliance on common retentionist arguments—public opinion, deterrence and retribution—can be regarded as the primary reason for the failure to abolish in recent years.Show less
