Analyzing the Drone Debates Targeted Killings, Remote Warfare, and Military Technology

by DeShaw Rae, James; Crist, John

• ISBN13: 9781137393074
• ISBN10: 1137393076
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2014-03-17
• Publisher: Palgrave Pivot

Summary

This book examines the principal arguments for and against the use of unmanned aerial vehicles for surveillance and "targeted killing." While generally avoiding taking sides, this work informs the reader of the current and future role of remotely piloted aircrafts in both war and peace times. It summarizes the viewpoints of scholars and policymakers on whether drone warfare is effective, legal, and ethical. Among some of the controversial aspects discussed are the degree of precision in targeted killing exercises, whether civilian casualties are high or low, whether drones increase or decrease global terrorism, if killing someone remotely in a risk-free environment is unethical, and how personal privacy may be eroded by persistent surveillance from law enforcement operation of drones.

Author Biography

James DeShaw Rae is Associate Professor of Government at California State University, Sacramento, USA. He received his PhD in Political Science at the University of Hawai'i. He is the author of Peacebuilding and Transitional Justice in East Timor.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. National Security and the Efficacy of Drone Warfare
3. Targeted Killing and the Legality of Drone Warfare
4. Remote Killing and the Ethics of Drone Warfare
5. Public Policy, Privacy, and Drone Technology
6. Conclusion