LE3 .A278 2006

2006

Franceschet, Antonio

Acadia University

Bachelor of Arts

Honours

Political Science

Politics

The ancient science of torture underwent new refinements during the twentieth century, passing from physical techniques aimed at the body, to psychological techniques directed at the mind. Although torture has been – and continues to be - used by democratic governments in secret, publication of its use during the ‘war on terror’ has led to a discussion, in which some have attempted to justify the torturing of suspects of terrorism as the “lesser evilâ€. This thesis examines a United States policy which employs torture while the United States government consistently and steadfastly denies its use. The phenomenon is compared with – and set in the context of - the use of covert actions during the Cold War, also justified at the time as a lesser evil.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:481