Posted 11:34 PM by Robert

The Games Europeans Play

Turkey just abolished the death penalty.

Nobody seems to think the Turks actually wanted to abolish the death penalty. But they had to abolish the death penalty to be considered for EU membership. Other countries who wish to gain access to the EU are also required to abolish the death penalty.

This is something to keep in mind when one hears the argument that because various countries have abolished the death penalty, the United States should do so, too.

Perhaps in the next round of world trade talks, the United States should demand that the EU free its member states to enact death penalty laws in accordance with the democratic decisions of their people, rather then tying this decision to unrelated commercial advantages.