The paper briefly reviews current usage of capital punishment in the United States. The major promotion of the paper examines capital punishment from a 'Longitudinal Perspective.' Data from 1962 world usage is compared to two data sets published by Amnesty International (1979 and 1985). The authors conclude that the use of capital punishment has not increased nor decreased but has remained relatively constant over a period of 23 years. This conclusion contradicts many writers who claim sweeping abolition of capital punishment on a worldwide basis. This conclusion also contradicts the retentionist argument that 'more and more' nations are adopting this punishment. (Author abstract)