Liberal Democracies and the Torture of Their Citizens by Cynt... - 9781509930067

Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This compelling book by Cynthia Banham analyzes and compares the responses of liberal democracies to the use of torture against their citizens post-9/11. It investigates whether Australia, the UK, and Canada resisted, tolerated, or supported the Bush Administration's policies concerning detainee mistreatment when their own citizens were implicated, and explores the reasons behind their varying actions. Despite sharing similar political cultures and alliances with America, these nations exhibited different behaviors when their citizens, caught in the War on Terror, were tortured. The book argues that the extent to which states responded to human rights claims was shaped by domestic actors demanding accountability from the executive government. It highlights how civil society actors, influenced by unique national political and legal contexts, either enabled or constrained human rights activism. The work maps the conditions that made individuals and groups more or less likely to engage when fellow citizens faced torture, focusing on national rights culture, the domestic legal and political human rights framework, and political opportunities. This analysis provides a deep dive into the complex interplay between national politics, human rights, and international policy during a critical period. It's an essential read for understanding the ethical and political challenges faced by democratic nations in the context of counter-terrorism. Book cover type: Paperback, Language version: English, Written by: Cynthia Banham (Author), Width: 234 mm, Height: 156 mm, Number of pages: 272 pages, Release date: 27/06/2019, ISBN: 9781509930067.