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Journal ArticleDOI

Torture and terror post-9/11: The role of social work in responding to torture:

01 Mar 2015-International Social Work (SAGE Publications)-Vol. 58, Iss: 2, pp 320-331
TL;DR: The authors argue that social work response to challenging pro-torture rhetoric has been limited at best, and to effectively address the problem there must be an international response if social work is to adhere to its obligations under the IFSW Code of Ethics, and fulfil its role as a human rights profession.
Abstract: Whilst terrorism is not a new global phenomenon, the fallout from the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US remain extensive and far reaching, including the sanctioning of harsher security measures and the denigration of human rights and civil liberties. Of particular concern is the move towards torture being an accepted practice for those deemed ‘terror suspects’ or captured ‘enemy’ combatants in countries where the so called ‘war on terror’ is still being played out. This article argues that the social work response, particularly in relation to challenging pro-torture rhetoric, has been limited at best, and to effectively address the problem there must be an international response if social work is to adhere to its obligations under the IFSW Code of Ethics, and fulfil its role as a human rights profession.
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Journal Article
TL;DR: In this book, Johnson primarily addresses a research audience, and his model seems designed to stimulate thought rather than to improve clinical technique, which suggests that lithium should have no therapeutic value in patients, such as those with endogenous depression, who already "under-process" cognitive information.
Abstract: basic research and clinical data in an attempt to derive a cohesive model which explains the behavioral effects of the drug. Johnson is an experimental psychologist, and his work underlies many of the chapters which suggest that lithium decreases the behavioral response to novel external stimuli. He then utilizes this foundation to propose a cognitive model for lithium's anti-manic action, its inhibition of violent impulsivity, and its prophylactic effects in recurrent depression. Previous formulations which were clinically based, such as that of Mabel Blake Cohen and her associates, stressed the primacy of depression and noted the \"manic defense\" as an attempt to ward off intolerable depression. In direct contrast, Johnson views mania as the primary disturbance in bipolar disorder. He considers depression in bipolar disease as an over-zealous homeostatic inhibitory responsf to a maniaassociated cognitive overload. Consistent with this, he believes, lit lum exerts its anti-manic effect by decreasing cognitive processing in a manner analogous to his animal studies. Johnson also suggests that lithium exerts its prophylactic effect in recurrent depressions by treating subclinical mania. These concepts are supported by the work of Johnson's associate, Kukopulos, to whom the book is dedicated. The bulk of the research which describes the cognitive disturbance in mania is complex, however, and uncomfortably open to multiple interpretations. Recognized as a preliminary effort, Johnson's formulation may help to guide further research. Although Johnson clearly traces lithium actions through a broad range of subjects, his discussion of the neurophysiological aspects of this drug is notably spotty. In particular, Johnson ignores the work of Svensson, DeMontigny, Aghajanian, and others who suggest that serotonergic systems may play an important role in the antidepressant actions of lithium. As a result, he fails to discuss one of the most important current uses of lithium: as an agent used in conjunction with antidepressant medications to increase treatment response in medication-resistant forms of depression. Lithium augmentation of antidepressant medication also challenges the formulation presented by Johnson. This formulation suggests that lithium should have no therapeutic value in patients, such as those with endogenous depression, who already \"under-process\" cognitive information. The omission of lithium augmentation in depression is clearly unfortunate in this text. Overall, this volume demonstrates the benefits of a single-authored text. It it clearly organized and readable. The bibliography is also broad and useful. In this book, Johnson primarily addresses a research audience, and his model seems designed to stimulate thought rather than to improve clinical technique. In this capacity, his book will be of most interest to behavioral psychologists. Other books, focusing purely on clinical data, may be more useful to clinicians. Nevertheless, the clear organization, the large bibliography, and the thoughtful presentation may make this text a useful addition to a clinical library as well.

1,865 citations

References
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Book
01 Sep 2001
TL;DR: Advocacy for Social Justice as discussed by the authors is the first comprehensive guide for worldwide advocates for social and economic justice, which explores the elements of advocacy and offers a toolkit for taking action, case studies, and hundreds of resource listings.
Abstract: Building civil society and nurturing democracy have become part of mainstream development discourse. But while some NGOs are taking the lead in this work, others still lack the skills needed to assume new roles in policy advocacy. Advocacy for Social Justice is a direct and interactive response to this growing need. The result of a major three-year collaboration between the Washington-based Advocacy Learning Institute and Oxfam America, this resource is the first comprehensive guide for worldwide advocates for social and economic justice. Intended for practitioners, trainers, teachers and students,it explores the elements of advocacy and offers a toolkit for taking action, comprehensive case studies, and hundreds of resource listings.

85 citations


"Torture and terror post-9/11: The r..." refers background in this paper

  • ...Within this framework, having an understanding of human rights concepts is integral to exploring, naming and then responding to human rights abuses on a policy or macro-level (Barclay, 1998; Boulet, 2009; Briskman, 2010; Cohen et al., 2001; Dishon et al., 2009; Solas, 2000, 2008)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Torture was formally abolished by European governments in the 19th century, and the actual practice of torture decreased as well during that period as discussed by the authors. In the 20th century however, torture became much more common.
Abstract: Torture was formally abolished by European governments in the 19th century, and the actual practice of torture decreased as well during that period. In the 20th century, however, torture became much more common. None of the theories that explain the reduction of torture in the 19th century can explain its resurgence in the 20th. This article argues that the use of torture follows the same patterns in contemporary times as it has in earlier historical periods. Torture is most commonly used against people who are not full members of a society, such as slaves, foreigners, prisoners of war, and members of racial, ethnic, and religious outsider groups. Torture is used less often against citizens, and is only used in cases of extremely serious crimes, such as treason. Two general 20th-century historical trends have caused torture to become more common. First, an increase in the number and severity of wars has caused an increase of torture against enemy guerrillas and partisans, prisoners of war, and conquered civilian populations. Second, changes in the nature of sovereignty have caused an expansion in the definition of acts constituting treason.

74 citations


"Torture and terror post-9/11: The r..." refers background in this paper

  • ...The use of torture increased globally in the 20th century and Einolf (2007) suggests this was due to the nature and severity of wars....

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Journal ArticleDOI

69 citations


"Torture and terror post-9/11: The r..." refers background in this paper

  • ...Essential to this is the recognition that individual needs are influenced by social and political factors (Ferguson and Woodward, 2009; Fook, 2010; Mullaly, 2002; Thompson, 2009)....

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