War On Terror

Question 1

Torture definition

Answer 1

‘Any act by which severe pain and suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining information’

UN CAT, 1984

Question 2

Difference between cosmopolitan and communitarianism

Answer 2

Cosmopolitan - ethical responsibility to every person, regardless of where they live

Communitarianism - ethical responsibility up to the border of the state

Question 3

What can modern states still do?

Answer 3

‘Ingrain destructive patterns of thinking and acting’

Pin-Fat, 2009

Question 4

Argument that realism is still important in the human rights regime?

Answer 4

P - use of interrogation techniques by the flag bearer of individual rights demonstrates the importance
E - ‘The US is committed to the world wide elimination of torture and we are leading je fight by example’ (Bush, 2003)
E - demonstrates the deceptive nature of realism that ‘everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are’ (Machiavelli, 1532).
L - Human rights are only important up the point of national interest due to the anarchical nature

Question 5

Bush quote on torture

Answer 5

‘The US is committed to the worldwide elimination of torture and we are leading the fight by example’

Bush, 2003

Question 6

Machiavelli quote

Answer 6

‘Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are’

(Machiavelli, 1532)

Question 7

Argument that liberal HR regime has consolidated?

Answer 7

P - wide body of international laws and practises surrounding Human Rights
E - ‘no exceptional circumstances whatsoever, may be invoked as a justification for torture’
E - individual politician policy being influenced by actual events, not a confirmation of the realist ideology. Also since then widespread rejection and condemnation of the US’s actions.