Why terrorism works : understanding the threat, responding to the challenge / Alan M. Dershowitz.

Format:

• Book

Author/Creator:

• Dershowitz, Alan M.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

• Terrorism.
• Terrorism--Prevention.

Physical Description:

271 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

New Haven : Yale University Press, [2002]

Summary:

The greatest danger facing the world today, says Alan M. Dershowitz, comes from religiously inspired, state-sponsored terrorist groups that seek to develop weapons of mass destruction for use against civilian targets. In his newest book, Dershowitz argues passionately and persuasively that organized global terrorism is a phenomenon largely of our own making and that we must and can take steps to reduce the frequency and severity of terrorist attacks. Analyzing recent acts of terrorism and our reaction to them, Dershowitz explains that terrorism is successful when the international community gives in to the demands of terrorists -- or even tries to understand and eliminate the "root causes" of terrorism. He discusses extreme approaches to wiping out international terrorism that would work if we were not constrained by legal, moral, and humanitarian considerations. And, given that we do operate under such constraints, he offers a series of proposals that would effectively reduce the frequency and severity of international terrorism by striking a balance between security and liberty. Lucidly written, powerfully argued, this book is an essential tool for combating terrorism while preserving our democratic values.

Contents:

• Deterring terrorism
• The internalization of terrorism
• How an amoral society could fight terrorism
• Should the ticking bomb terrorist be tortured? : a case study in how a democracy should make tragic choices
• Striking the right balance.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 230-260) and index.

Local Notes:

Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Sheldon Hackney.

ISBN:

0300097662

OCLC:

49698913