Torture and Public Policy
Torture and Public Policy
Kevin Huckabee
Stephen F. Austin State University
Prepared for: PBA-500 Survey of Public Administration
Abstract
The subsequent case study, prepared by James P. Pfiffner, Torture and Public Policy, (2010) analyzes the torture and abuse of war prisoners by United States military personnel in Abu Ghraib, Iraq, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, following photographs of the abuse spread around the world in the fall of 2003. Pfiffner points out that the United States Military, Secretary of State Donald Rumsfield, and President George W. Bush assumed a role in the events leading up to the exploitation, even though it has never been corroborated that President Bush or Secretary of State Rumsfield directly condoned the abuse. However, the persons that actually performed the abuse should be held responsible for their own actions. In the study of abuse concerning the Iraqi prisoners Pfiffner cites elements that may have factored into the abuse of the prisoners as lack of proper training, the pressures of war in general, the lack of close supervision, and the lack of a clear-cut policy. Carl Friedrich's and Herman Finer's debate in the 1940s lead to Finer contending that there is a need for external control to assist in minimizing corruption and ensuring responsibility. Friedrich debates that internal mechanisms such as professionalism and ethical training could ensure responsibility and accountability. Pfiffner’s analysis demonstrates how both Friedrich and Finer’s arguments can be founded in this case.
Torture and Public Policy
Introduction
During the fall of 2003 damaging photos of American troops taunting, torturing, and abusing prisoners at Abu Ghraib, Iraq spread rapidly throughout the world. The United States considered itself as a civilized country and expected the rest of the world to view it in the same way. The photographs depicted American soldiers as heartless, barbaric, and tyrannical. President George W. Bush knew that the
Kevin Huckabee
Stephen F. Austin State University
Prepared for: PBA-500 Survey of Public Administration
Abstract
The subsequent case study, prepared by James P. Pfiffner, Torture and Public Policy, (2010) analyzes the torture and abuse of war prisoners by United States military personnel in Abu Ghraib, Iraq, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, following photographs of the abuse spread around the world in the fall of 2003. Pfiffner points out that the United States Military, Secretary of State Donald Rumsfield, and President George W. Bush assumed a role in the events leading up to the exploitation, even though it has never been corroborated that President Bush or Secretary of State Rumsfield directly condoned the abuse. However, the persons that actually performed the abuse should be held responsible for their own actions. In the study of abuse concerning the Iraqi prisoners Pfiffner cites elements that may have factored into the abuse of the prisoners as lack of proper training, the pressures of war in general, the lack of close supervision, and the lack of a clear-cut policy. Carl Friedrich's and Herman Finer's debate in the 1940s lead to Finer contending that there is a need for external control to assist in minimizing corruption and ensuring responsibility. Friedrich debates that internal mechanisms such as professionalism and ethical training could ensure responsibility and accountability. Pfiffner’s analysis demonstrates how both Friedrich and Finer’s arguments can be founded in this case.
Torture and Public Policy
Introduction
During the fall of 2003 damaging photos of American troops taunting, torturing, and abusing prisoners at Abu Ghraib, Iraq spread rapidly throughout the world. The United States considered itself as a civilized country and expected the rest of the world to view it in the same way. The photographs depicted American soldiers as heartless, barbaric, and tyrannical. President George W. Bush knew that the
References: * Bush, G.W. (2002) Memorandum of “Human Treatment of al Qaeda and Taliban Detainees.” In Greenberg and Dratel, ed., The Torture Papers, 134-135. * Bush, G.W. (2003) The White House; Statement by the President; United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture (June 26). Available at www.whitehouse.gov/new/release/2003/06/200306263.htm. * Fay, G.R. (2004) Investigation of the Abu Ghraib Detention Facility and 205th Military Intelligence Brigade, Major General George R. Fay, Investigating Officer. In Strasser, The Abu Ghraib Investigations, 109-171. * Jones, A.R. (2005) AR 15-6 Investigation of the Abu Ghraib Detention Facility and 205th MI Brigade, LTG Anthony R. Jones. In Greenberg and Dratel, ed., The Torture Papers, 991-1018. * Pfiffner, J.P. (2010) Torture and Public Policy In Stillman II, R.J. (Ed.) Public Administration: Concepts and Cases (9th ed.) 452-462. MA: Wadsworth * Powell, C.L. (2002) Memorandum TO: Counsel to the President and Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, FROM: Colen L. Powell (26 January 2002) Subject: Draft Decision Memorandum for the President on the Applicability of the Geneva Convention to the Conflict in Afghanistan. In Greenberg and Drael, ed. The Torture Papers, 122-125. “Comments on the Memorandum of January 25,” appended to memorandum. * Rumsfield, D. (2003) Memorandum for Commander USSOUTHCOM; Subject: Counter-Resistance Techniques (15 January 2003), signed by Secretary Rumsfield. In Greenberg and Dratel, ed., The Torture Papers, 239. * Taguba, A.M. (2004) Article 15-6 Investigation of the 800th Military Police Brigade (26 February 2003). In Greenberg and Dratel, ed., The Torture Papers, 405-406.