There shall be no Security without an Enemy: Terrorism, Neo-Conservatism and Modern Governance

Type: 
Lecture
Audience: 
Open to the Public
Building: 
Nador u. 9, Monument Building
Room: 
Gellner room
Wednesday, March 31, 2004 - 5:00pm
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Date: 
Wednesday, March 31, 2004 - 5:00pm to 7:00pm

This lecture discussed how the US neo-conservative national security doctrine manifested a particular conception of the enemy within radical Islam. It considered how far counter-terror measures and fear-management policies constituted the ultimate danger of modern terrorism regardless of its origin.

Terrorism can be extremely perilous for governments which recognize inalienable rights and civil liberties. While conceiving terrorism as the most extreme of threats, governments promulgate aggressive reforms and claim exclusive executive prerogatives. Against a faceless and stateless enemy, modern powers could find themselves caught up in an uncontrollable spiraling that threatens their founding premises.