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14 Counterterrorism

Abstract

The tension between strategic and moral imperatives accompanies all counterterrorism. This chapter explores that tension by examining some prominent features of the contemporary fight against terrorism which raise moral concern. In each case, there are two poles of the argument, the moral and the strategic. The strategic and the ethical problems of counterterrorism are compounded by the emergence of a new and more extreme form of terrorism. To apply the policing or law enforcement model of counterterrorism is to uphold the rule of law and the criminal nature of acts of terrorism. The ethical problems of counterterrorism are varied and substantial, reflecting the special challenge that terrorism poses. The tension between strategy and ethics is often to the fore as terrorists put the moral discipline of counterterrorists to the test. Ethical conduct is a matter of preserving the moral integrity and the moral capital of the society in question.

Abstract

The tension between strategic and moral imperatives accompanies all counterterrorism. This chapter explores that tension by examining some prominent features of the contemporary fight against terrorism which raise moral concern. In each case, there are two poles of the argument, the moral and the strategic. The strategic and the ethical problems of counterterrorism are compounded by the emergence of a new and more extreme form of terrorism. To apply the policing or law enforcement model of counterterrorism is to uphold the rule of law and the criminal nature of acts of terrorism. The ethical problems of counterterrorism are varied and substantial, reflecting the special challenge that terrorism poses. The tension between strategy and ethics is often to the fore as terrorists put the moral discipline of counterterrorists to the test. Ethical conduct is a matter of preserving the moral integrity and the moral capital of the society in question.

Chapters in this book

  1. Front matter i
  2. Contents v
  3. Preface to the second edition vi
  4. Acknowledgements vii
  5. Introduction to the second edition 1
  6. Introduction to the first edition 20
  7. Part I: Images of war
  8. 1 Realism 35
  9. 2 Militarism 58
  10. 3 Pacifism 95
  11. 4 The just war 115
  12. Part II: Principles and concepts of the just war
  13. 5 Legitimate authority 139
  14. 6 Just cause 162
  15. 7 Proportionality and the recourse to war 183
  16. 8 Last resort 204
  17. 9 Proportionality and the conduct of war 224
  18. 10 Noncombatant immunity 249
  19. 11 Peacemaking 287
  20. Part III: Terrorism and counterterrorism
  21. 12 On defining terrorism 311
  22. 13 Terrorism 327
  23. 14 Counterterrorism 347
  24. References 375
  25. Index 387
The ethics of war
This chapter is in the book The ethics of war
https://doi.org/10.7765/9781784996659.00023

Chapters in this book

  1. Front matter i
  2. Contents v
  3. Preface to the second edition vi
  4. Acknowledgements vii
  5. Introduction to the second edition 1
  6. Introduction to the first edition 20
  7. Part I: Images of war
  8. 1 Realism 35
  9. 2 Militarism 58
  10. 3 Pacifism 95
  11. 4 The just war 115
  12. Part II: Principles and concepts of the just war
  13. 5 Legitimate authority 139
  14. 6 Just cause 162
  15. 7 Proportionality and the recourse to war 183
  16. 8 Last resort 204
  17. 9 Proportionality and the conduct of war 224
  18. 10 Noncombatant immunity 249
  19. 11 Peacemaking 287
  20. Part III: Terrorism and counterterrorism
  21. 12 On defining terrorism 311
  22. 13 Terrorism 327
  23. 14 Counterterrorism 347
  24. References 375
  25. Index 387
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