Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism: Ethics and Liberal Democracy

"Miller's approach is thematic, addressing questions of how to define terrorism, whether it can ever be justified, and, finally, whether terrorism should be fought through the police or the military, and whether to contemplate the use of interrogative torture. ...[H]is tone is...cautiously analytical throughout, eschewing any obvious sense of partisanship...[offering] a distinctive and important contribution to a range of debates on the ethics of terrorism and counterterrorism." (Christoper J. Finlay, Ethics and International Affairs, 24, no. 1, 2010).

"[Miller's] book is seminal in its suggestion of re-establishing the political role of philosophical
reason for dealing with the problems of our age." (Mehmet Ruhi Demiray, Political Studies Review, 2011, vol. 9)

"Seumas Miller's book is entitled Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism but it is much more than its title suggests. It is best described as an astute examination of the different types of ‘unconventional political violence' that occur in our world. It provides useful discussions of political assassinations, targeted killings, torture, attacks on military personnel who do not perceive themselves to be at war, and more. Miller is especially concerned about the appropriate response to terrorism-whether it is fighting crime or engaging in war. He is also concerned with how liberal democracies can most effectively respond to terrorism without violating their most basic moral commitments. . . there is much in the book that can advance discussion of some of the most important issues facing Western liberal democracies." (Australasian Journal of Philosophy, 12 May 2011)

"Seumas Miller has written a first-rate book. It is the only philosophical treatment of the ethics of terrorism that takes counter-terrorism seriously. Building on his extensive work in police ethics, Miller refocuses the debate about terrorism in light of the kind of procedures that police and the military employ to stop it. It greatly contributes to enlarging the growing debates about the appropriate moral response to terrorism.’– Larry May, Washington University in St Louis

'Miller's book is a serious invitation to think again through complex issues, about whether terrorism is ever justifiable, about the "police" versus "war" paradigms of counter-terrorism, and about torture... In general, Miller's mode of argument is pleasingly generous, pointing out difficulties and counter-arguments along the way." The Guardian