Terrorism & The Constitution: Sacrificing Civil Liberties in the Name of National Security

by James X. Dempsey, David Cole

Traces the history leading up to the Anti-terrorism Act of 1996 "one of the worst assults on civil liberties in decades." The authors review of the abuses occuring today-denials od due process, detentions of aliens based on secret evidence, investigations of support for lawful humanitarian activity - culminates with recommendations for a counterterrorism strategy that would conform to the Constitution - one focused on individual culpability for acts of violence rather than on political ideology. Written for the general audience, yet laden with endnotes of value to activists and lawyers, Terrorism & The Constitution is a balanced examination of the problem of terrorism from a civil liberties perspective.

Genres: Politics, Law, American History, Terrorism

206 pages, Paperback

First published June 15, 1999

Reviews

[ASC Library]

342.73 Col

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Besides mostly agreeing with the author's well-supported argument, I especially appreciated the history surrounding the topic used to inform and build his case. While COINTELPRO and Nixon could fill entire books themselves, the author did a great job of summarizing their significance and linking them to current topics. I was actually interested in benching out and reading about topics mentioned in the book. The book's strongest attribute is that it is thesis driven, and therefore narrow in scope without long-winded tangents, which also leaves out political rhetoric and anecdotal drivel many politically loaded books contain. The author sticks with logic, facts and appeals to reason. I did not give it a 5/5 because I personally desired more information regarding executive misconduct and cases of local police would have been more interesting although I understand the author's intention of focusing on a cogent argument instead a book of case studies.

[Conor McDonough · Rating 3 out of 5]

Secret Evidence is messed up....Aliens beware

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important book about how civil liberties have been eroded since 9/11 and how government agencies inevitably abuse investigative powers that do not have adequate checks and balances.

[Bryan Mcquirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read on the past abuses by the FBI against US citizens, and how recent law changes have opened to door for future abuses of power and the Constitution.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for a research paper, really interesting, especially putting post 9/11 behavior in conjunction with past govt. activity. Really easy to read as well.

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cole's other book, (I can't find it right now) was very good and I'm sure this one is too.