The War on Terrorism and the Rule of Law - Softcover

Pious, Richard M.

9780195330731: The War on Terrorism and the Rule of Law

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0195330730 ISBN 13: 9780195330731

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2006

Pious' book provides a detailed discussion of due process issues invoked by the George W. Bush administration's war on terror. This book questions the premise that the government's obligation to protect Americans from terrorist acts leads to an inevitable tradeoff between constitutional and legal guarantees of due process. Instead, Pious argues that bringing terrorists to justice through the due process of law provides more rather than less security. The introductory chapter begins by laying out worst-case scenarios for terrorist attacks on the United States. Case studies of recent court cases document that when law enforcement takes shortcuts it may not only result in the imprisonment of innocent people, but also distorts or falsifies the intelligence needed to deploy law enforcement resources in the most efficient manner. Subsequent chapters apply this perspective to such topics as government surveillance (including warrantless surveillance), data-mining, immigration "hold and clear" hearings, the application of material support and material witness statutes, rules of evidence determining access to witnesses, the indefinite detention of American citizens and non-citizens, the use of military hearings, and the authorized and unauthorized mistreatment of detainees to obtain intelligence. Pious provides accessible, up-to-date materials such as testimony and speeches by Bush administration officials presenting their arguments for an "intelligence-driven" approach rather than a due process approach to combat terrorism, congressional testimony refuting these claims, proposed legislation to require adherence to due process of law, recent statute law delegating extensive power to government officials, and federal cases attempting to strike a balance between governmental prerogative claims and the rights of defendants. The cases have been extensively edited to make them accessible to undergraduate students and other non-law

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About the Author:

Richard M. Pious is at Barnard College.

Review:

"Richard Pious has written this timely, much-needed, definitive book on important issues and cases arising from controversies about the rule of law in counterterrorism and the post-9/11 'war on terrorism' in particular. I recommend this volume very highly as mandatory reading and basis of discussions in courses on terrorism and counterterrorism, civil liberties, human rights, war and peace, constitutional law, and American government (i.e., the presidency, the congress, and the judiciary)."--Bridgette Nacos, Columbia University

"This volume is essential reading for citizens and members of Congress interested in preserving liberty, security and the rule of law. Students and scholars alike will profit from a careful reading of this powerful book."--Dave Adler, Idaho State University

"With his usual clarity and unique skills in organizing complex materials, Pious identifies the fundamental questions--political and constitutional--that require close and reasoned debate, not just by elected officials but by the public at large. Basic documents are laid out in convenient fashion to facilitate this much-needed process of public scrutiny."--Louis Fisher, Author of Military Tribunals and Presidential Power

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