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| Author: Philip Bobbitt
Publisher: Knopf
Category: Book
List Price: $35.00
Buy New: $19.09
You Save: $15.91 (45%)
New (41) Used (9) from $15.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  19 reviews
Sales Rank: 7746
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 688
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.2
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.7
ISBN: 1400042437
Dewey Decimal Number: 363.320973
EAN: 9781400042432
ASIN: 1400042437
Publication Date: April 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 New Laws for Counterterrorism ? June 3, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Since the time of the Treaty of Westphalia (1648), the nation state has been viewed as a "sovereign entity," designed to protect and promote the general welfare of its citizens. Now, according to Philip Bobbitt, in the age of globalization, this sovereign entity is becoming increasingly "porous." As nation states integrate into the global economy, the constitutional foundations dedicated to protecting their rights and liberties are no longer adequate. The new entity that is emerging is what Bobbitt calls the "market state," a term he borrows from a previous work, The Shield of Achilles, in which he traced the evolution of the nation state.
This new market state Bobbitt describes is no longer confined to a sovereign territory, it is a decentralized and privatized network of relationships. It has all the characteristics of a multinational corporation and it treats its citizens much like a consumers. The market state has many upsides in that it presents its citizens with unprecedented freedoms and opportunities.
This book, however, is about the downside of the market state and the opportunities it provides terrorists. Today's terrorist networks are a byproduct of the market state, indeed they are an opportunistic parasite of the market state. They harness its technology and networks to wage war against it.
Bobbitt is not a neoconservative, he is a law professor who sees the need for a new constitutional order that reflects the needs of this new market state. Although he supported the war in Iraq, he now emphasizes the need for stronger international alliances and a "commitment to globalize the systems of human rights and government by consent." In other words, market states must collectively protect human rights and liberties.
On the counterterrorism side, Bobbitt calls for more invasive intelligence gathering, not only domestically but across national borders. Something along the lines of the Total Information Awareness program. He also calls for "preclusive" actions on the part of governments. Containment and deterrence are no longer adequate since terrorists now have access to weapons of mass destruction; they must be neutralized before they act. In short, terrorism must be fought more aggressively without undermining fundamental human rights and within the framework of international alliances.
This is a very well-researched and very well-argued work on how to fight terrorism in the 21st century. Bobbitt concludes that there is something in his proposals to offend everyone. Liberals will not like his call for preclusive actions by the governments and conservatives will not like his call to abide by some international standards. Achieving a so-called state of consent is already difficult in theory, it will be even more so in practice.
Excellent May 31, 2008
A great clarity on theses topics at a time of great confusion. Everyone who pretends to have an idea on terrorism, Bushism, etc.. should have read it!
Great book May 28, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Great book by a great mind. He may not have all the answers, but his analysis deserves to be viewed thoughtfully, not like these people giving it one star because he does not conform to their views. Thanks to an interview with Dennis Prager, I was turned on to this work.
crime terror and war inthe new market state May 24, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
terror and consent gives a powerful insight into 21st century global political strategy and how it is inextricably linked to terrorism war crime and the consent of the governed in determining the future of our world
Welcome to the future... May 20, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
In my continuing research, Philip Bobbitt has been able to put into words what will be the greatest constitutional test the United States and countries of the world will be facing in the near future. Pay attention, folks, this is the new world! The fall of the nation-state and it's replacement, the market-state will see our concepts of liberty turned upside down.
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