David Held

About the author: David Held is a professor of political science at the London School of Economics and author of Democracy and the Global Order and other works.

The terrorism of September 11 was an attack on fundamental and global principles of justice and law. The response to them must be careful and measured, and should not contradict these fundamental principles of civilization. While war and bombing are one option, another is the creation of an international commission on global terrorism under the auspices of the United Nations. Criminalizing terrorism on an international basis can foster global cooperation in capturing and bringing those responsible for the September 11 attack to justice. In addition, nations must work together to address social justice issues and underlying grievances that may contribute to the...