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We praise democracy most of the time, but we practice it as if we had accepted every argument against it, as if we believed it must depress the level of culture and of public life

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democracy & terror

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.

A rising generation will take Muslims' post-7/7 intellectual ferment forward, testing institutions
The bombs of 7 July 2005 wounded London. Our first response warned of damage to democracy too (archive)
The legal and human context of the US Supreme Court's landmark verdict (archive)
When to talk to political and violent extremists, and who should do the talking?
A university colleague's arrest over downloaded research materials reflects a climate of fear
A cautious left outguns an intransigent right - just. Now it faces an even bigger political test
Two great states and empires confronted each other across boundaries of imagination as well as arms between the 14th and 17th centuries in Europe. As conflict receded so the vision of the enemy changed. How did this happen, and what are the lessons for today, asks Paula Sutter Fichtner. 
A Christian leader in a multicultural land endorses sharia law. But why not go further - and give Muslims a parliament? (archive) 
Afghanistan's hope of progress and security is withering. It's now or never for Europe
Why the Afghan insurgents are reaching out beyond their heartlands 
What's in store for Pakistan? Anatol Lieven forecasts. Listen now
A night-time police-check in Sweden, and a wider lesson
The debate about Muslims and the west must connect ideas to living realities
A letter to Christian leaders reveals Muslim liberals' intellectual vacuity
An effective strategy towards al-Qaida must grasp the movement's own transformation
Wars end, terrorism fades, groups die. Here's how the cycle begun on 9/11 can close
The 9/11 attacks catapulted the group to global attention. Six years on, where is al-Qaida going?
The Geneva conventions began 143 years ago. Today, sophistry endangers the rights they protect (archive)
Scotland's establishment has responded to an abortive terrorist operation by reaffirming support for the country's Muslim minority.
"Red" Bologna was shattered on this day in 1980 by "black" bombs. Are there lessons in the rubble? (archive)
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