Enemy of Humanity: The Anti-Piracy Discourse in Present-Day Anti-Terrorism

Mikkel Thorup

Terrorism and Political Violence, 2009, vol. 21, issue 3, 401-411

Abstract: This article explores the anti-pirate discourse as a feature of the present war on terror and the more general connection between state and non-state violence. The anti-pirate discourse in ancient and early modern history is explored where piracy was one of the main threats coming from the private use of force. The anti-piracy reference is used in the present anti-terror discourse to open the way for a more militaristic approach to fighting terrorism centered around the concept of “enemy of humanity.” Naming the enemy as someone outside the reach of reason and of conventional warfare brands the enemy as fanatically intent on destruction for destruction's sake and a state's intention to fight the “war” dirty as the only route to success.

Date: 2009
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DOI: 10.1080/09546550902950282

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