Terrorism, Security and Nationality: An Introductory Study in Applied Political Philosophy

Acts of terrorism and political violence are on the increase throughout the world; nationalism in its ugliest forms threatens peace and security in many regions; the foundations of the modern state are continually under threat.Terrorism, Security and Nationality shows how the concepts and techniques of political philosophy can be applied to the problems of terrorism, state violence and national identity. In doing so, it clarifies a wide range of issues in applied political philosophy, including the ethics of war, theories of state and nation, the relationship between communities and nationalisms, and the uneasy balance of human rights and national security.Paul Gilbert examines the reasons for political violence and assesses the justifications put forward by its perpetrators: ethnicity, nationality and the interests of the state. He analyses their conflicting notions of what constitutes a political community and provides a much needed philosophical critique of contrasting accounts of national identity.A comprehensive philosophical study of political violence, Terrorism, Security and Nationality will be essential reading for students of politics and philosophy as well as all those seeking to understand one of the most intractable problems of our time.