John Russell – författare

The Russo-Chechen conflict has been the bloodiest war in Europe since the Second World War. It continues to drag on, despite the fact that it hits the headlines only when there is some 'terrorist spectacular'. Providing a comprehensive overview of the war and the issues connected with it, the author examines the origins of the conflict historically and traces how both sides were dragged inexorably into war in the early 1990s. The book discusses the two wars (1994-96 and 1999 to date), the intervening truce and shows how a downward spiral of violence has led to a mutually-damaging impasse from which neither side has been able to remove itself. It applies theories of conflict, especially theories of terrorism and counter-terrorism and concludes by proposing some alternative resolutions that might lead to a just and lasting peace in the region.

The Russo-Chechen conflict has been the bloodiest war in Europe since the Second World War. It continues to drag on, despite the fact that it hits the headlines only when there is some 'terrorist spectacular'. Providing a comprehensive overview of the war and the issues connected with it, the author examines the origins of the conflict historically and traces how both sides were dragged inexorably into war in the early 1990s. The book discusses the two wars (1994-96 and 1999 to date), the intervening truce and shows how a downward spiral of violence has led to a mutually-damaging impasse from which neither side has been able to remove itself. It applies theories of conflict, especially theories of terrorism and counter-terrorism and concludes by proposing some alternative resolutions that might lead to a just and lasting peace in the region.

Mark Kingwell, John Ralston Saul, Jan Zwicky, Thomas Hurka, Will Kymlicka, Graeme Hunter, Paul and Patricia Churchland, Michel Seymour, Arthur Schafer, Charles Taylor-the list of Canadian philosophers who have made important contributions to public debate is a long one. Here, in a single volume we find their views on topics ranging from free speech to free trade, from science to citizenship, from terrorism to tyranny, and from ethics to the environment.In the Agora celebrates the unique perspectives, distinctive voices, and important contributions of Canadian philosophers by bringing together some of the nations' top minds to speak candidly on issues of popular public debate. Following a foreword by John Ralston Saul, editors Andrew D. Irvine and John S. Russell have carefully collected over a hundred essays into an accessible, controversial, and lively book that delves into any number of significant issues.A spirited and engaging read, In the Agora effectively illustrates how Canadian philosophers have contributed to public discourse and enriched our world. It is a collection that is sure to prompt both interest and debate.Contributors:Paul M. ChurchlandAndrew IrvineThomas HurkaTrudy GovierJeffrey FossJan ZwickyJames Robert BrownPatricia Smith ChurchlandRay JenningsMark KingwellJohn RussellIan HackingWilliam HareGraeme HunterJohn WoodsThomas De KoninckDavid GauthierCharles TaylorPeter LoptsonJan NarvesonJohn DixonLeo Groarke Paul GroarkeStan PerskyGrant BrownSusan SherwinLeslie BurkholderMichel SeymourWill KymlickaJohn RalstonSaulAlister BrowneLou MarinoffSteven Davis

In his introduction to this collection of essays by constitutional experts, Philip Bryden says that Canadians can be proud of their commitment to the protection of rights and liberties in the Charter. Canada, he believes, is a better place to live then it would be otherwise. Nevertheless, as the essays in this book reveal, the case in favour of the Charter is not simple or one-sided. For instance, Kim Campbell, minister of justice at the time of writing, and Jeffrey Simpson of the Globe and Mail express concern that the Charter promotes a rights discourse that threatens to overwhelm the ordinary politics of recognizing and accommodating different interests. Dean Lynn Smith of the University of British Columbia law faculty observes that the Charter rights are better understood as complementing than as supplanting traditional mechanisms. The authors, diverse in background and outlook, reflect varying points of view but share a significant degree of consensus on issues that need to be addressed.