Until recently, internal use of the armed forces has been generally regarded by the public, as well as academic commentators, as conduct to be expected of a military or autocratic regime, not a democratic government. However, there is growing concern that the 'war on terror' has been used to condition public opinion to accept the internal deployment of the armed forces, including for broader industrial and political purposes. This book examines the national and international law, human rights and civil liberties issues involved in governments calling out troops to deal with civil unrest or terrorism. As the introduction of military call-out legislation has become an emerging global trend in the opening years of the 21st century, there is considerable and growing interest in the constitutional and related problems surrounding the deployment of military forces for domestic purposes. This book examines the changes underway in six comparable countries: the United States, Canada, Britain, Germany, Japan and Australia, providing a review and analysis of this trend, including its implications for legal and political rights.
Author(s): Michael Head, Scott Mann
Year: 2009
Language: English
Pages: 208
Contents......Page 6
Preface......Page 10
Key Terms......Page 8
Introduction: Why this Book?......Page 12
1 An International Trend......Page 16
2 The Troubled Historical Record......Page 30
3 United States: Eroding Protections against Military Intervention......Page 54
4 Canada: Making 'Domestic Security' a Core Mission......Page 74
5 Britain: 'Defend the State'......Page 92
6 Germany and Italy: Post-War Restraints under Challenge......Page 106
7 Japan: Undermining the 'Pacifist' Clause......Page 120
8 Australia: Legislating Military Powers......Page 136
9 Legal Immunities and Uncertainties......Page 158
10 Wider Legal, Political and Democratic Implications......Page 180
Bibliography......Page 196
Index......Page 212