Terrorists perform terrible acts. They maim, mutilate and kill in pursuit of their goals. The horrifying events of 9/11 and the regular suicide bombings around the world have made terrorism one of the central preoccupations of the twenty-first century. But what is the distinctive wrong of terrorism? Criminal acts such as murder and hijacking are already on the moral statute books, so why is it that we regard terrorists as different from and morally worse than ordinary killers and kidnappers?

Some see terrorism is an ideology, others claim it is a deep-seated social or psychological failing, others that it is a form of fighting unfairly judged by just-war standards. In this provocative new book, Robert Goodin puts forward the view that terrorism is, in fact, a deliberate tactic of frightening people for socio-political gain. Fear affects peoples ability to reason clearly and undermines their capacity for autonomous self-government.

In this way, Goodin contends that terror is not only the weapon of organizations such as al-Qaeda; it also benefits democratic politicians who profit from the climate of insecurity induced by terrorist threats and violence. Political figures conducting a campaign of fear as part of their war on terrorism may therefore be committing wrongs akin to those of terrorists themselves. This, Goodin argues, is what is distinctively wrong with terrorism in the contemporary world.

The revised and updated edition of Goodin and Pettit's highly-acclaimed contemporary political philosophy anthology, bringing together the field's most important readings in a single volume Unparalleled in the breadth and scope of its coverage, this newly-revised third edition traces the evolution of political philosophy as a contemporary practice, and raises important questions about the impact of current political events. Fully updated to include 49 contemporary and classic selections from the most distinguished scholars in political philosophy Offers expanded coverage of international affairs and political oppression Includes essays which represent a diversity of political and ideological positions, and features interdisciplinary voices in politics, law, and economics Edited by two of the field's most highly-respected scholars The ideal collection of primary readings to accompany the Companion to Contemporary Political Philosophy, Second Edition (Wiley Blackwell, 2012) for coursework in political philosophy

An essential reference for anyone interested in this dynamic field, the new edition of A Companion to Contemporary Political Philosophy is the most current and comprehensive resource available.* Expanded second edition brings together fifty--five chapters on current thinking in political philosophy* New contributors include some of today's most distinguished scholars, among them Thomas Pogge, Charles Beitz, Michael Doyle and Antony Quinton* Provides in--depth coverage of contemporary philosophical debate in all major disciplines* Presents analysis of key political ideologies, including new chapters on Cosmopolitanism and Fundamentalism* Includes detailed discussions of major concepts in political philosophy, including virtue, power, human rights, and just war

Knowing what is the right thing to do is one thing. Bringing yourself to do it is often quite another. This book is addressed to those who ask, 'Why should I be moral?'. It explores strategies and tactics for evoking moral responses from people, especially in political contexts where so much is at stake.

A central theme is how rarely we need for people to act upon unabashedly moral motives. For most purposes cold calculations of self-interest, in some suitably extended sense, are all that is really needed to induce people to behave as morality would require. Reciprocity - the threat that others will do as they are done by - will often suffice to make people behave fairly. Uncertainty - the prospect of soon finding yourself in the position of the other - is often enough to induce people to weigh impartially the interests of all. However, there inevitably remains a subset of frightfully vulnerable people whom others have no self-interested reasons not to exploit. To secure decent treatment for them, we must appeal directly and exclusively to people's sense of morality.

Robert Goodin explores these themes through the imaginative use of anecdotes and examples in a way that will make this book a treasury of political wisdom for academics, policymakers and citizens alike.