Title
Civil Liberties in Uncivil Times: The Perilous Quest to Preserve American Freedoms
Abstract
The perilous quest to preserve civil liberties in uncivil times is not an easy one, but the wisdom of Benjamin Franklin should remain a beacon: “Societies that trade liberty for security end often with neither.” Part I of this article is a brief history of civil liberties in America during past conflicts. Part II describes various actions taken by the government to conduct the war on terrorism – including invasions of privacy, immigration policies, deportations, profiling, pre-trial detentions, and secret military tribunals. Part III analyzes the serious Constitutional questions raised by the government’s actions in fighting terrorism. The thesis throughout is that the farther we stray from our hard-won freedoms in order to vanquish those who would destroy our way of life, the more we become like them – and the more hollow our ultimate victory.
Disciplines
Civil Rights and Discrimination | Constitutional Law | Human Rights Law | Immigration Law | Legal History
Date of this Version
March 2006
Recommended Citation
Kenneth Lasson, "Civil Liberties in Uncivil Times: The Perilous Quest to Preserve American Freedoms" (March 8, 2006). bepress Legal Series. bepress Legal Series.Working Paper 1090.
https://law.bepress.com/expresso/eps/1090