Book Review Essay: Enemy Aliens: Double Standards and Constitutional Freedoms in The War on Terrorism, by David Cole, New York: The New Press, 2003, pp. 256
22 Pages Posted: 12 Oct 2009 Last revised: 17 Nov 2009
Date Written: March 1, 2004
Abstract
David Cole's "Enemy Aliens, Double Standards and Constitutional Freedoms in the War on Terrorism" (New York: New York Press, 2003) sets forth a comprehensive and intelligent assessment of the ways in which the war on terror has put the United States and its citizens at risk. Cole argues persuasively that actions taken by the United States since September 11, 2001 in the name of national security - rather than achieving a “peace founded upon the dignity and rights of every man and woman,” - have sacrificed the liberties of non-citizens and will ultimately jeopardize the liberty and security of all citizens. Although Cole recognizes that mediating the tension between liberty and security on the backs of non-citizens is politically tempting because citizens do not lose their rights and non-citizens do not vote, he presents a compelling four-part argument for resisting this temptation and, instead, asking citizens and non-citizens to bear any costs of enhanced security equally.
Keywords: war on terror, Guantanamo, immigrant, detainee
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation