Courts and Terrorism

Since ancient times, terror tactics have been used to achieve political ends and likely will continue into the foreseeable future. Preserving national security and the safety of civilian populations while maintaining democratic principles and respecting human rights requires a delicate balancing act. In democracies, monitoring that balance typically falls to the courts. Courts and Terrorism examines how judiciaries in nine separate nations have responded, not just to the current wave of Al Qaeda threats, but also to narco-trafficking, domestic terrorism and organized crime syndicates. Terrorism is not a new phenomenon, and even though the reactions have varied significantly, common themes emerge. This volume discusses eleven case studies and analyzes the experiences of these various nations in their battles with terrorism to reveal the judicial quandary for democratic governance and the rule of law in the twenty-first century.

Mary L. Volcansek is Professor of Political Science at Texas Christian University. She has written or coauthored five books and is editor or coeditor of five others. She edited, with John E Stack Jr., Courts Crossing Borders: Blurring the Lines of Sovereignty (2005) and, with Donald W. Jackson and Michael C. Tolley, Globalizing Justice: Critical Perspectives on Transnational Law and the Cross-Border Migration of Legal Norms (2010). She has also published multiple articles and book chapters and is currently working on a new book, Judicial Politics: A Comparative Lens. John F. Stack Jr. is Professor of Politics and International Relations and Law and Director of the School of International and Public Affairs at Florida International University. He is the author, coauthor, or editor of thirteen books, the most recent being Globalization, Second Edition (2010, coauthored with Lui Hebron) and The New Deal in South Florida Design Policy and Community Building, 1933-1940 (2008, with coeditor John A. Stuart), winner of the 2008 Silver Medal (Florida Nonfiction) in the Florida Book Awards.