The Trouble with Terror
Liberty, Security and the Response to Terrorism

Argues that, regardless of its professed cause, terrorism can never be reconciled with liberal morality.

Tamar Meisels (Author)

9780521728324, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 18 September 2008

250 pages
22.7 x 15.2 x 1.6 cm, 0.41 kg

'This book offers a theoretical analysis of the issue of terrorism. … this is a strong and provocative attempt to address the tension between liberty and security.' Oxfam: Development Resources Review

What is terrorism and can it ever be defended? Beginning with its definition, proceeding to its possible justifications, and culminating in proposals for contending with and combating it, this book offers a full theoretical analysis of the issue of terrorism. Tamar Meisels argues that, regardless of its professed cause, terrorism is diametrically opposed to the requirements of liberal morality and can only be defended at the expense of relinquishing the most basic of liberal commitments. Meisels opposes those who express sympathy and justification for Islamist (particularly Palestinian) terrorism and terrorism allegedly carried out on behalf of developing nations, but, at the same time, also opposes those who would tolerate any reduction in civil liberties in exchange for greater security. Calling wholeheartedly for a unanimous liberal front against terrorism, this is a strong and provocative attempt to address the tension between liberty and security in a time of terror.

Introduction
Part I. Defining and Defending Terrorism: 1. Defining terrorism – a typology
2. The apologetics of terrorism: a refutation
Part II. Freedom, Security, and Rights in a Terrorist Age: Liberal-Democratic Dilemmas: 3. How terrorism upsets liberty
4. Combatants – lawful and unlawful
Part III. Fighting Terrorism: 5. Targeting terror
6. Torturing terrorists
7. Torture and the problem of dirty hands.

Subject Areas: Human rights [JPVH], Political science & theory [JPA], Social & political philosophy [HPS]