Terrorism And Collective Responsibility

Terrorism is a problem that has persisted throughout the 1990s. This book explores whether terrorism can ever be morally justified, and if so, under what circumstances. It is argued that terrorism cannot be adequately understood unless the collective responsibility of organized groups, such as political states, for wrongs allegedly done against the groups which the terrorists represent is taken into account. Terrorism and Collective Responsibility provides an analysis of various models of collective responsibility, and it takes into account recent discussions of military responsibility and business ethics. The book also explores the problems that terrorism poses for the just war tradition. All the significant arguments of prominent philosophers against terrorism are critically examined and the claim that terrorism necessarily violates the rights of innocent persons is considered. Wilkins sets forth a definition of terrorism that is sure to provoke controversy. This book should be of interest to anyone seriously interested in questions concerning terrorism or collective responsibility.

The terrorist threat to official bodies and civilians alike remains an issue for the 1990s. This book explores whether terrorism can ever be morally justifiable and if so under what circumstances. Professor Wilkins suggests that the popular characterization of terrorists as criminals fails to take account of the reasons why terrorists resort to violence. It is argued that terrorism cannot be adequately understood unless the collective responsibility of organized groups, such as political states, for wrongs allegedly done against the groups which the terrorists represent is taken into account. Terrorism and Collective Responsibility provides an analysis of various models of collective responsibility, and it takes into account recent discussions of military responsibility and business ethics. The book also explores the problems that terrorism poses for the just war tradition. All the significant arguments of prominent philosophers against terrorism are critically examined and the claim that terrorism necessarily violates the rights of innocent persons is considered. Wilkins sets forth a definition of terrorism that is sure to provoke controversy. This book should be of interest t Review: Wilkins provides an excellent analysis of such issues as collective responsibility in Nazi Germany and the distribution of fault in the My Lai massacre. Anyone seriously interested in questions concerning terrorism or collective responsibility will wish to read this book. - Ethics