The Justification of Torture

Paper Summary:

This paper gives an overview of the use of torture in general and specifically the torture techniques used by the French military in their interrogation efforts during the Battle of Algiers. The paper also discusses the rationale behind the use of torture. Additionally, the paper identifies the costs and benefits of using torture and looks at the lessons that can be learned from France's use of torture during the Battle of Algiers. Lastly, the writer discusses his own views on the use of torture.

Outline;
Torture
Rationalization for Torture
Benefits of Torture
Costs of Torture
Battle of Algiers and the U.S. War on Terror
Analysis

From the Paper:

"Although the French military won the first round in the Battle of Algiers, France ultimately lost the war and withdrew from Algeria in 1962 leaving the FLN as the new rulers. The use of torture and notorious interrogation techniques may have been a tactical success, but it was undoubtedly a strategic failure for the French. The torture techniques used by French military heightened support for nationalists in and out of Algeria. Torture use also discredited the French army and in the process, senior ranks in the French military became disenchanted with the French civilian leadership which eventually led to several senior officers to turn against the government and to attempt to assassinate French President De Gaulle. Torture further led to domestic political scandals in France, and traumatized French political life for decades. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Psychology of torture. (2007, January 7). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 01:59, January 17, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Psychology_of_torture&oldid=99060349
• Frequently Asked Questions (October 18, 2005). The Torture Question. FRONTLINE. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/torture/etc/faqs.html
• Torture as an interrogation technique (October 2, 2004). Maj. Anthony F. Milavic, USMC (Ret.) American Thinker.http://www.americanthinker.com/2004/10/torture_as_an_interrogation_te.html
• Terrorism and Torture (September 30, 2005). Allhoff, Fritz. International Journal of Applied Philosophy. (2005): 106-110. University of California Santa Barbara. 30 Sept. 2005
• Battle of Algiers, Battle of Iraq. June 1, 2006. Ronald Bruce St. John. Foreign Policy in Focus. http://www.albionmonitor.com/0606a/algiersiraq.html

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• Argumentative Essay # 100623 : "Torture and Rendition"

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