The Public Debate Over Rights

September 11

Traces the struggle over whether the emergency will expand surveillance, assassination, and restrictions on civil liberties.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Emergency Proposals Emergency Proposals from "September 11". Emergency Proposals Officials discuss changing laws on terrorism, surveillance, and the assassination of foreign nationals.

Emergency Proposals from "September 11". Emergency Proposals Officials discuss changing laws on terrorism, surveillance, and the assassination of foreign nationals.

Emergency Proposals Officials discuss changing laws on terrorism, surveillance, and the assassination of foreign nationals. The Security Claim Such measures are presented as tools for preventing future attacks. Chomsky’s Question He asks what limits remain when emergency language expands executive power.

Calls for Wider Authority Calls for Wider Authority from "September 11". Calls for Wider Authority Public debate includes questions about granting the CIA greater freedom and permitting political killings.

Calls for Wider Authority from "September 11". Calls for Wider Authority Public debate includes questions about granting the CIA greater freedom and permitting political killings.

Calls for Wider Authority Public debate includes questions about granting the CIA greater freedom and permitting political killings. A Familiar Logic Chomsky connects these proposals with earlier covert operations and state violence. Normalization Risk Measures adopted in fear may become ordinary features of policy long after the immediate crisis.

The Intellectual Boundary The Intellectual Boundary from "September 11". The Intellectual Boundary Chomsky criticizes arguments that prohibit examination of causes as excuses for terrorism.

The Intellectual Boundary from "September 11". The Intellectual Boundary Chomsky criticizes arguments that prohibit examination of causes as excuses for terrorism.

The Intellectual Boundary Chomsky criticizes arguments that prohibit examination of causes as excuses for terrorism. Debate Restricted A demand to condemn without inquiry can exclude criticism of state violence from respectable discussion. Rights and Responsibility He argues that public reasoning is itself a protection against unaccountable power.

Civil Liberties Forecast Civil Liberties Forecast from "September 11". Civil Liberties Forecast Chomsky doubts that restrictions on rights will prove severe and permanent, citing strong cultural and institutional barriers.

Civil Liberties Forecast from "September 11". Civil Liberties Forecast Chomsky doubts that restrictions on rights will prove severe and permanent, citing strong cultural and institutional barriers.

Civil Liberties Forecast Chomsky doubts that restrictions on rights will prove severe and permanent, citing strong cultural and institutional barriers. A Qualified Confidence He does not deny the risk of expanded surveillance or coercive power. Public Influence An engaged public can help determine whether temporary measures become lasting institutions.

A Choice for Citizens A Choice for Citizens from "September 11". A Choice for Citizens Chomsky urges citizens and activists to intensify, rather than suspend, serious criticism.

A Choice for Citizens from "September 11". A Choice for Citizens Chomsky urges citizens and activists to intensify, rather than suspend, serious criticism.

A Choice for Citizens Chomsky urges citizens and activists to intensify, rather than suspend, serious criticism. Two Possible Paths Silence can aid reactionary political projects; sustained inquiry can support rights and democracy. Civic Responsibility The direction taken depends partly on whether people accept the role of passive spectators.

September 2001

September 17–21, 2001

September 21, 2001

Late September 2001

October 2001