ABSTRACT
In the previous chapter I showed how an ethics-centred approach to international relations can bring to light a particularly dangerous form of threat we face in our anarchical global practices. The method displayed terrorists making use of a particular form of ethical leverage available to them in contemporary world politics. We discussed the way in which such groups as AQ can use terrorist-style events to lever civilians, citizens and states into ethically self-destructive responses. In the light of this discussion I now wish to turn to the question: Why is it that our anarchical societies are currently so vulnerable to this kind of provocation to self-destruct? What is it about our contemporary world that allows such small terrorist forces to have such a major global impact? We must have some answers to these questions before we can devise ways in which anarchical societies can defend themselves from such threats.
