Routledge Terrorism Versus Democracy: The Liberal State Response (Political Violence)

This book examines the terrorist networks that operate globally and analyses the long-term future of terrorism and terrorist-backed insurgencies. Terrorism remains a serious problem for the international community. The global picture does not indicate that the ‘war on terror’, which President George W. Bush declared in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, has been won. On the other hand it would be incorrect to assume that Al Qaeda, its affiliates and other jihadi groups have won their so-called ‘holy war’ against the Coalition against Terrorism formed after 9/11. This new edition gives more attention to the political and strategic impact of modern transnational terrorism, the need for maximum international cooperation by law-abiding states to counter not only direct threats to the safety and security of their own citizens but also to preserve international peace and security through strengthening counter-proliferation and cooperative threat reduction (CTR). This book is essential reading for undergraduate and postgraduate students of terrorism studies, political science and international relations, as well as for policy makers and journalists. Review 'Paul Wilkinson has been saying challenging things about terrorism and the liberal state for over thirty years. In the era of the so-called "war on terror" his perspective on the subject is more important than ever. This book deserves to be widely read: its message on the need for respect for human rights is a vital one in these security-oriented days.' Professor Conor Gearty, Rausing Director, Centre for the Study of Human Rights, LSE 'From one of the founding fathers of terrorism studies, an urgent and necessary reminder of that which we must hold dear in combating all forms of terrorism. Paul Wilkinson understands the vital lessons to be learned from responding to terrorism, and this updated edition of his landmark book is absolutely essential reading.' Dr John Horgan, University of St Andrews ‘No one has studied the relationship between terrorism and liberal democracy for as long as Prof. Paul Wilkinson. The new, enlarged and updated post 9/11 edition of his book should be required reading – especially for those who think there is a trade-off between security and human rights adherence in the fight against terrorism.’ Dr Alex Schmid 'Paul Wilkinson does not underestimate the threat of contemporary jihadist terrorism, but in this new edition of Terrorism versus Democracy he sticks to his guns in defending a liberal response. Prof. Wilkinson is one of the founders of the field of terrorism studies, and this book admirably represents both his deep knowledge of the subject and his belief that states should and must uphold democratic values.'- Professor Martha Crenshaw ‘Paul Wilkinson, one of the first scholars in the UK and indeed the world to study the subject, has written a compelling account of the struggles democracies encounter in attempting to defeat terrorism. In this up-dated account, Wilkinson draws our attention to the dilemmas democracies must confront as t About the Author Paul Wilkinson is Emeritus Professor of International Relations and Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence (CSTPV) at the University of St Andrews. He is author of several books on terrorism issues and was co-founder of the leading international journal, Terrorism and Political Violence.