The Future of Violence - Robots and Germs, Hackers and Drones: Confronting the New Age of Threat

From drone warfare in the Middle East to digital spying, governments have now harnessed the power of cutting-edge technology to awesome effect. But what happens when ordinary people have the same tools at their fingertips? Advances in cybertechnology, biotechnology and robotics mean that more people than ever before have access to potentially dangerous technologies – from drones to computer networks and biological agents – which could be used to attack states and private citizens alike. The authors detail the myriad possibilities and enormous risks present in the modern world and argue that if our national governments can no longer adequately protect us from harm, they will lose their legitimacy. In this brave new world where many little brothers are as menacing as any Big Brother, safeguarding our liberty and privacy may require strong domestic and international surveillance and new laws. Maintaining security in this world where anyone can attack anyone requires a global perspective, with more multinational forces to protect (and protect against) weaker states who do not yet have the capability to police their own people. The Future of Violence is at once an introduction to our emerging world and an authoritative blueprint for how government must adapt in order to survive and protect us.