Could democracy be the ultimate antidote to terrorism? In the face of violence, how should democratic values be put into action? openDemocracy writers present their views - join the conversation in the forum to add yours.
This debate is an extension of arguments presented by openDemocracy in the run up to the International Summit on Democracy, Terrorism and Security, held in Madrid in March this year. To access the online forum discussion from this earlier period of debate, which is hosted on the Summit site, please click here.
Wanted: more honesty, less denial
A month after the London bomb attacks, openDemocracy’s chair Laura Sandys calls on Britain’s government to shift its policy and thinking in relation to the country’s Muslim citizens.
What happened? What changed? What now?
Two weeks after the London bombings, openDemocracy and Q-News convened a meeting at London’s Chatham House to debate the origins and consequences of the attacks and let Muslims and non-Muslims thrash out the issues.
The London bombs: Iraq or the 'rage of Islam'?
Many commentators regard the London terror attacks as Tony Blair’s payback for Britain’s role in Iraq. Sami Zubaida assesses the evidence.
Bali's message of dialogue
The tolerant, diverse Indonesian island of Bali, target of a terrorist assault in October 2002 that killed 202 people, has hosted an international, interfaith dialogue. Jan McGirk reports, and openDemocracy publishes the full text of the conference’s “Bali Declaration”.
The age of surveillance: a new 'dotcom boom'?
Will the era of digital networks and terrorism produce the worst of both worlds: a society of mass surveillance that increases insecurity? William Davies maps a new political-technological frontier.
Muslims in Britain: generations, experiences, futures
British Muslims are under a harsh spotlight following the July bomb attacks in London. Maruf Khwaja offers a sympathetic but clear-eyed view of how they are trying to make sense of a difficult predicament.
Democracy's early warning
An international democratic movement against terrorism emerged from the Madrid attacks of 2004 – it is time for world leaders to catch up, says Anthony Barnett.
Madrid, London, and beyond: don't reinvent the wheel
The lesson of the Madrid summit of March 2005 is that the tools for a democratic and effective response to terrorism are already available, says Peter R Neumann.
Terrorism, Islam, reform: thinking the unthinkable
The atrocity of 7 July in London is the latest manifestation of a rooted culture of ignorance and intolerance in the Muslim world. Only reform can save Islam from itself, says Maruf Khwaja.
The Tavistock Square Gandhi: 'war on terror' and non-violence
The London bus bomb exploded beside “peace park” where the pioneer of non-violence, Gandhi, is honoured. Vinay Lal sees in the event another violation of the “war on terror”.
How to beat terrorism: lessons of an Arab journey
Arab citizens are squeezed between authoritarian rulers, violent opposition groups and western counter-terrorism. But in their spaces of freedom, a quietly intense search for orderly change is occurring, says Rami G Khouri.
Leeds footsoldiers and London bombs
“I don’t really know why those men from Beeston set off those bombs in London, but I think I know where to look for the answers”. Max Farrar draws on his fieldwork among northern England’s deprived young people to explore the deeper roots of 7/7.
Terrorism: not who but why?
The roots of bombings in Madrid and London, Istanbul and Baghdad lie in a complex mixture of political, cultural and religious influences. Turi Munthe clears the path to a better understanding.
Tackling terror by winning hearts and minds
The decisive instrument in preventing attacks like those in London is the capacity of the human mind to imagine and implement solutions that lead to real change. Scilla Elworthy proposes a fresh way of addressing terrorism.
Civility and its discontents - or how not to think about pluralism
A globalised public sphere no longer affords the luxury of isolation, splendid or sordid, from the “other”, argues Amyn B. Sajoo, nor from the mirror it holds up to our shallow liberalism.
This week's editor
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Dan Hancox Revel, Riot and Rebellion
Martin Rose Bliss Was It in that Dawn to Be Next Door
Vron Ware Up in Arms
Jim Gabour Sunday Comics
James Warner Standing Perpendicular, as books do
Markha Valenta Inter Alia: religion, politics, culture
Paul Rogers on Global security
Mary Kaldor on Human security
