Meisels (political science, Tel Aviv U., Israel) sees a large body of literature that "expresses sympathy, and at times outright justification, for Islamist (particularly Palestinian) terrorism and terrorism allegedly carried out on behalf of developing nations" and counters that such sympathies have no place within liberal thought, confronting the arguments of such figures as Ted Honderich and Jacques Derrida. He then addresses the question of civil liberties in the fight against terrorism, arguing from a social contract perspective that some abridgements may be necessary. In the final section of his book he defends "targeted assassination" in the fight against terrorism while coming out against "outright torture" in the questioning of terrorist suspects Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Argues that, regardless of its professed cause, terrorism can never be reconciled with liberal morality.
What is terrorism and can it ever be defended? Beginning with its definition, proceeding to its possible justifications, and culminating in proposals for contending with and combating it, this book offers a full theoretical analysis of the issue of terrorism. Tamar Meisels argues that, regardless of its professed cause, terrorism is diametrically opposed to the requirements of liberal morality and can only be defended at the expense of relinquishing the most basic of liberal commitments. Meisels opposes those who express sympathy and justification for Islamic (particularly Palestinian) and Third World terrorism but, at the same time, also opposes those who would tolerate any reduction in civil liberties in exchange for greater security. Calling wholeheartedly for a unanimous liberal front against terrorism, this is a strong and provocative attempt to address the tension between liberty and security in a time of terror.
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