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Terror and Liberalism
 
 
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Terror and Liberalism (Hardcover)

by P Berman (Author) "DURING THE BUILDUP to the Persian Gulf War of 1991, Richard Nixon wrote an op-ed for The New York Times, endorsing the coming war and..." (more)
4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
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Product details

  • Hardcover: 216 pages
  • Publisher: W. W. Norton & Co. (8 April 2003)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0393057755
  • ISBN-13: 978-0393057751
  • Product Dimensions: 21.5 x 14.9 x 2.2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 457,850 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Product Description
A manifesto for an aggressive liberal response to terrorist attacks, this text argues that in the terror war we are not facing a battle of the West against Islam, a clash against civilizations, rather, that we are facing the same battle that tore Europe apart during most of the 20th century, only in a new version. It is the clash of liberalism and its enemies: the battle between freedom and totalitarianism that arose in Europe many years ago and spread to the Muslim world. The author considers the wars against fascism and communism from the past and draws cautionary lessons from them. He also draws a liberal programme for the present from those past experiences, a programme that departs from the policies of the Bush administration.
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DURING THE BUILDUP to the Persian Gulf War of 1991, Richard Nixon wrote an op-ed for The New York Times, endorsing the coming war and explaining its goals. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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74 of 79 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Analysis of Middle-Eastern Totalitarianism, 30 Jun 2003
Paul Berman is from the left politically, but, as with Christopher Hitchens, is appalled at the current attitude of the liberal left to the Iraqi war and the Palestinian situation. He argues that the short 20th century (1914-1989) didn't see the final defeat of the totalitarianisms of left and right, but that these survive in the Middle East, both in the teachings of Islamic fundamentalists and with the secular Baathists. Both of these groups in their different ways incorporated elements of the worst of European totalitarian philosophies. And the left, following the ignoble traditions of many in the thirties (Berman cites the example of the French socialists under Paul Faure), pretend it isn't happening.

One of the most interesting points that Berman raises, for me, is the question of the Palestinian suicide bombers. I find it quite extraordinary that this repellent form of terrorism is so remarkably effective in raising support for the Palestinian cause, and how many on the left think it quite reasonable (well yes, it's a shame about those innocent deaths, but...), and take it as proof that the Palestinians are suffering so appallingly under the Israelis that comparisons are blithely made not just with apartheid South Africa, but even, pace Tom Paulin and others, with Nazi Germany. But this is completely to misunderstand the mentality involved here. These suicide bombers are part of a profound pathology within the Arab world, a chiliastic movement, where death is glory. The same lazy shallow thinking, whereby everyone acts rationally in the light of their perceived interests, had it that the 9/11 bombers were protesting American foreign policy and the plight of the Palestinians. No, no, no. These people were protesting the very existence of liberalism. These people were fanatics.

Read the book. It's well-written, and will make you think.

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30 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A guide to the post 9/11 era, 4 Mar 2005
Paul Berman wrote a compelling book about the dangers that current terrorism provide for the cause of freedom and liberalism. This case - that there are forces that are at war with liberalism and that we need to rise up to the challenge - has been made enough by some commentators but not heard enough, especially in some circles and through the major media channels. In particular, in Europe such a case has been often derided as simply an ad hoc justification for an 'imperialist war' or, when recognised for what it is, an unnecessary war on terror. Paul Berman is no neo-conservative. Actually in the preface he raises the question whether this book should position itself on the left or right side of the political spectrum. The author clearly would like to put himself on the moderate left side, but makes often argument that are heard more from commentators on the moderate right side. The reason is simple: with regard to the current 'terror war', there is no right or left, but only a liberal society and its enemies. Berman traces the history of this clash, between liberty and totalitarianism, back a century, to First World, Second world war and the cold war. Liberalism has fought many enemies, and many faces of the same enemy. We need to recognise terrorists for what they are and they they, those who harbour them, and dictators are the enemy of liberalism, under another face maybe, but animated by the same avulsion for our principles of freedom and equality as previous totalitarianisms, such as nazism and communism, were. The fact that this call to arms comes from somebody that would like to place himself on the left side is even more encouraging, as today there are too many people willing to deny the reality of our world and indulge themselves in wishful thinking. And here is the second main contribution of this book. The denunciation of the wishful thinking of some - not to say most - of the people on the left (and some on the right too, but to a far lesser degree). The author draw parallels from recent history; as socialists in France took a sympathetic view of Hitler in the 1930s (because they were opposed to war in any circumstance), and most of the left were more than sympathetic with communism during the Cold War, so today, opponents of war fail to recognise the dangers we are facing. Berman does not fail to criticise American foreign policy when it's needed (he understands the current administration foreign policy strategy better than most other people); and it does not fail to criticise the failure of liberalism when they happens ("the totalitarian movements arise because of failures in the liberal civilisation"). However, it is also clearly states what we should be for: we are the anti-nihilists, we are for the freedom for others. And this is way this book should be read by everybody interested in understanding what is happening today; in particular it should be read by those who two years ago demonstrated against the Iraq invasion. Some of them had good and sensible reasons to oppose the invasion (some others did not), but the irony was clear: "the largest mass demonstrations in the history of the world were aimed at preventing the overthrow of one of the worst tyrannies in the modern age". We should be for the freedom of others.
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19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant!, 2 Sep 2006
This review is from: Terror and Liberalism (Paperback)
Considering the current situation around the world, Paul Berman's book is one of the finest in print. The background material is laid out clearly and convincingly. I stopped taking notes because I found I was just copying everything written. Each sentence holds so much truth and gives you a better understanding of what terror and liberalism really mean. Once the concept of totalitarianism is spelled out your eyes are opened and you can see what your politicians and news moguls do not want you to see. A brave book from a brilliant author. Read it!
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 		 Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read!
The War on Terror is a concern for us all, and understanding it is imperitive. Of course our governments make mistakes and do some very illiberal things, but there are plenty of... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mr. R. B. G. Harries

4.0 out of 5 stars Appeasement or intervention
Terrorism and suicide attacks have a long history across the world. Berman is analysing the cultural foundations of totalitarian thought, which is leading states as well as... Read more
Published on 14 Nov 2004 by rainerbroemer

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