Week 5.1

Many commentators label the current “War on Terrorism” as a state of perpetual war. Many issues become apparent when a nation adopts a permanent war setting. Chapter 10 in your text explores many of the ethical issues associated with the War on Terrorism, and the video Treat Terrorists Like Enemy Combatants, Not Criminals: A Debate (Links to an external site.) debates the best methods to handle accused terrorists (Makio, 2010). In this discussion, discuss the morality and expectations for the criminal justice system to be engaged in such a “war.” How does this status of preparedness and aggressive interdiction affect the creation, design, and implementation of morality policies in the criminal justice field?

Guided Response: Examine the implications of a nation continually in a state or war. Do ethical systems become irrelevant in light of a consistent, aggressive foreign policy, or is the need for moral action and rules more imperative in such a culture?