Manchester University Press
1 The function of narrative in the ‘war on terror’
Abstract
The function of the narratives of Ancient Greece is to give a meaningful structure to the world in which we live, act and feel. Amnesty has rightly described the 'war on terror' as a war on human rights. It is also a contest of narratives: stories that the protagonists tell about themselves, about their enemies, and about what is happening now. More than any other story in the world today, the Israeli narrative is under challenge. The Israeli and American narratives already shared a quality of youthfulness, an idea of a homeland haven, a democracy, a land of opportunity and individual rights, a laboratory and launch pad for self-invention. Narrative strategies include attempts to change the interpretation of the law, to introduce new laws and generally to adopt practices that have such far-reaching effects that they in essence alter the nature of the state.
Abstract
The function of the narratives of Ancient Greece is to give a meaningful structure to the world in which we live, act and feel. Amnesty has rightly described the 'war on terror' as a war on human rights. It is also a contest of narratives: stories that the protagonists tell about themselves, about their enemies, and about what is happening now. More than any other story in the world today, the Israeli narrative is under challenge. The Israeli and American narratives already shared a quality of youthfulness, an idea of a homeland haven, a democracy, a land of opportunity and individual rights, a laboratory and launch pad for self-invention. Narrative strategies include attempts to change the interpretation of the law, to introduce new laws and generally to adopt practices that have such far-reaching effects that they in essence alter the nature of the state.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- Preface vii
- Acknowledgements viii
- Notes on contributors ix
- Introduction 1
- 1 The function of narrative in the ‘war on terror’ 28
- Response to Ahdaf Soueif 43
- 2 Terrorism, war and international law 47
- Response to Michael Byers 74
- 3 Human rights in an age of counter-terrorism 83
- Response to Conor Gearty 99
- 4 Terrorism 105
- Response to Thomas Pogge 136
- 5 War/terror/politics 141
- Response to Bat-Ami Bar 156
- 6 War, terrorism and the ‘war on terror’ 159
- Response to Jeff McMahan 185
- 7 Islamic law, human rights and neo-colonialism 193
- Response to Khaled Abou El Fadl 223
- 8 The threshold of the human 227
- Response to Joanna Bourke 248
- 9 Defending the transgressed by censuring the reckless against the killing of civilians 253
- Index 285
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- Preface vii
- Acknowledgements viii
- Notes on contributors ix
- Introduction 1
- 1 The function of narrative in the ‘war on terror’ 28
- Response to Ahdaf Soueif 43
- 2 Terrorism, war and international law 47
- Response to Michael Byers 74
- 3 Human rights in an age of counter-terrorism 83
- Response to Conor Gearty 99
- 4 Terrorism 105
- Response to Thomas Pogge 136
- 5 War/terror/politics 141
- Response to Bat-Ami Bar 156
- 6 War, terrorism and the ‘war on terror’ 159
- Response to Jeff McMahan 185
- 7 Islamic law, human rights and neo-colonialism 193
- Response to Khaled Abou El Fadl 223
- 8 The threshold of the human 227
- Response to Joanna Bourke 248
- 9 Defending the transgressed by censuring the reckless against the killing of civilians 253
- Index 285
