Debating Terrorism and Counterterrorism : Conflicting Perspectives on Causes, Contexts, and Responses

by Gottlieb, Stuart

• ISBN13: 9780872899612
• ISBN10: 0872899616
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-10-27
• Publisher: Cq Pr

Summary

With original contributions from some of the most prominent academics and professionals on terrorism and counterterrorism, Stuart Gottlieb&BAD:rs"s debate-style reader will compel your students to wrestle with the conflicting perspectives that define the field. Unlike other volumes in which readings talk past one another, Debating Terrorism and Counterterrorism features brief paired &BAD:"pro&BAD:" and &BAD:"con&BAD:" essays written specifically for the book that directly address the urgent questions surrounding terrorism. The essays address both theoretical questions and pragmatic concerns including: How significant a threat is nuclear terrorism? Is poverty a root cause of terrorism? Is suicide terrorism an effective tactic? Does Islam play a unique role in religious terrorism? Can the spread of democracy defeat terrorism? Must security come at the expense of civil liberties? An incisive introduction and useful chapter headnotes from the editor provide students with necessary context and prepare them to read each argument critically, allowing them to understand the past, present, and future of terrorism and counterterrorism.

Table of Contents

Foreword
"First ... correctly identify the enemy ..."	p. ix
Contributors	p. xiii
Preface	p. xxi
Debating Terrorism
Is the "New Terrorism" Really New?	p. 1
No: The "new terrorism" of al-Qaeda is not so new	p. 4
Yes: Al-Qaeda is an example of a "new terrorism"	p. 16
Does Poverty Serve as a Root Cause of Terrorism?	p. 34
No: Poverty is a weak causal link	p. 37
Yes: Poverty is an important cause	p. 51
Can Terrorism Ever Be Justified?	p. 67
No: Terrorist violence is never justified	p. 69
Yes: Terrorism is a just tool of the weak	p. 81
Does Islam Play a Unique Role in Modern Religious Terrorism	p. 100
Yes: Islam has a unique impact on modern terrorism	p. 103
No: Islam itself is not the problem in the current wave of global terrorism	p. 115
Is Suicide Terrorism an Effective Tactic?	p. 131
Yes: Suicide terrorism is a pragmatic choice	p. 134
NO: Suicide terrorism rarely achieves its goals
Is Nuclear Terrorism a Real Threat?	p. 166
Yes: The threat is very real	p. 168
No: The threat is overblown	p. 180
Debating Counterterrorism
Counterterrorism Strategies: Do We Need Bombs over Bridges?	p. 201
No: There is a need to focus more on building bridges	p. 204
Yes: More creative military strategies are needed	p. 218
Can Spreading Democracy Help Defeat Terrorism?	p. 235
No: Democracy promotion is problematic as a counterterrorism priority	p. 238
Yes: Promoting democracy can combat terrorism	p. 238
Can the United Nations Make a Difference in Fighting Terrorism?	p. 272
No: The UN is limited in its ability to play a role	p. 275
Yes: The UN has vital roles to play in countering terrorism	p. 287
Is an Outright Ban the Best Way to Eliminate or Constrain Torture?	p. 304
Yes: Torture violates U.S. and international law and should never be allowed	p. 307
No: There is a need to bring an unfortunate practice within the bounds of law	p. 320
Counterterrorism and the Constitution: Does Providing Security Require a Trade-Off with Civil Liberties?	p. 336
Yes: The United States needs to reasonably limit civil liberties and bolster executive powers	p. 339
No: Respecting civil liberties and preventing executive overreach are critical to preserving America's security and its ideals	p. 353
Conclusion: Is the Threat of Terrorism Being Overstated?	p. 370
Yes: The threat of terrorism is overblown and more manageable than suspected	p. 372
No: The threat is profound and will remain so for some time	p. 383
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