What was new was the symbolic force of the targets struck. The attackers did not just physically cause the highest buildings in Manhattan to collapse; they also destroyed an icon in the household imagery of the American nation.

Quote by Jurgen Habermas

Topics: Jurgen Habermas Quotes

Manhattan... capital of the 20th century, a city that has fascinated me for more than...

Manhattan... capital of the 20th century, a city that has fascinated me for more than...

The uncertainty of the danger belongs to the essence of terrorism.

The uncertainty of the danger belongs to the essence of terrorism.

Historically, terrorism falls in a category different from crimes that concern a criminal court judge.

Historically, terrorism falls in a category different from crimes that concern a criminal court judge.

Instead of the international police action we had hoped for during the war in Kosovo,...

Instead of the international police action we had hoped for during the war in Kosovo,...

In the U.S.A. or Europe there is no realistic way to estimate the type, magnitude,...

In the U.S.A. or Europe there is no realistic way to estimate the type, magnitude,...

The misery in war-torn Afghanistan is reminiscent of images from the Thirty Years' War.

The misery in war-torn Afghanistan is reminiscent of images from the Thirty Years' War.

Since our complex societies are highly susceptible to interferences and accidents, they certainly offer ideal...

Since our complex societies are highly susceptible to interferences and accidents, they certainly offer ideal...

Global terrorism is extreme both in its lack of realistic goals and in its cynical...

Global terrorism is extreme both in its lack of realistic goals and in its cynical...

Perhaps at a later point important developments will be traced back to September 11. But...

Perhaps at a later point important developments will be traced back to September 11. But...

After September 11, the European governments have completely failed. They are incapable of seeing beyond...

After September 11, the European governments have completely failed. They are incapable of seeing beyond...

The difference between political terror and ordinary crime becomes clear during the change of regimes,...

The difference between political terror and ordinary crime becomes clear during the change of regimes,...

From a moral point of view, there is no excuse for terrorist acts, regardless of...

From a moral point of view, there is no excuse for terrorist acts, regardless of...

Today's Islamic fundamentalism is also a cover for political motifs. We should not overlook the...

Today's Islamic fundamentalism is also a cover for political motifs. We should not overlook the...

Each murder is one too many.

Each murder is one too many.

Perhaps September 11 could be called the first historic world event in the strictest sense:...

Perhaps September 11 could be called the first historic world event in the strictest sense:...

Osama bin Laden, the person, more likely serves the function of a stand-in. Compare the...

Osama bin Laden, the person, more likely serves the function of a stand-in. Compare the...

Partisans fight on familiar territory with professed political objectives to conquer power. This is what...

Partisans fight on familiar territory with professed political objectives to conquer power. This is what...

The scenarios of biological or chemical warfare painted in detail by the American media during...

The scenarios of biological or chemical warfare painted in detail by the American media during...

Disappointment over nationalistic authoritarian regimes may have contributed to the fact that today religion offers...

Disappointment over nationalistic authoritarian regimes may have contributed to the fact that today religion offers...

Some of those drawn into the holy war had been secular nationalists only a few...

Some of those drawn into the holy war had been secular nationalists only a few...