Paul Wilkinson
Encyclopedia
Paul Wilkinson CBE
(9 May 1937 – 11 August 2011) was Emeritus Professor of International Relations and former Director of the University of St Andrews
Centre for the Study of Terrorism
and Political Violence
. He became a familiar presence as a commentator in the mainstream British media in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks
in the US.
Born in Harrow
, Middlesex
, Wilkinson was educated at John Lyon School
in Harrow. He gained a BA in Modern History
and Politics
at University College, Swansea
, followed by an MA.
After six years service as a regular Royal Air Force
education officer he started his academic career at the University of Wales, Cardiff
, as Assistant Lecturer in Politics, in 1966. He became Senior Lecturer and then Reader in Politics at Cardiff before being appointed to the first Chair in International Relations at the University of Aberdeen
of 1979. His first book on terrorism, Political Terrorism was published in the key concepts in Political Science series in 1974.
In 1989 he was appointed to the first Chair in International Relations at the University of St Andrews. From 1989 to 1994 he was director of the Research Institute for the Study of Conflict and Terrorism.
During the 1997–98 academic year he was a Visiting Fellow at Trinity College, Cambridge
. He is co-founder and was co-editor of the academic journal Terrorism and Political Violence 1989–2006, and directed a research project funded by the ESRC, on the preparedness of the UK for future terrorist attack. He served as Adviser to Lord Lloyd of Berwick's Inquiry into Legislation Against Terrorism, and authored vol. two, the Research Report for the Inquiry (1996).
Throughout his career, Wilkinson was a strong opponent of terrorism of all kinds. In his publications and contributions to the media he has consistently argued that the democtratic response to both domestic and international terrorism should always be guided by the Rule of Law. For example, he publicly opposed attempts to increase the period permitted to detain terrorism suspects without trial in the UK and condemned the Guantánamo detention camp project and other measures by the administration of US President George W. Bush
that departed from basic Rule of Law Principles (see Terrorism Versus Democracy: The Liberal State Response, pp. 61–88)
He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours. Wilkinson died on 11 August 2011, aged 74. He advised the UK Government
on terrorism.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(9 May 1937 – 11 August 2011) was Emeritus Professor of International Relations and former Director of the University of St Andrews
University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews, informally referred to as "St Andrews", is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge. The university is situated in the town of St Andrews, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It was founded between...
Centre for the Study of Terrorism
Terrorism
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
and Political Violence
Political violence
Political violence is a common means used by people and governments around the world to achieve political goals. Many groups and individuals believe that their political systems will never respond to their political demands. As a result they believe that violence is not only justified but also...
. He became a familiar presence as a commentator in the mainstream British media in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
in the US.
Born in Harrow
Harrow, London
Harrow is an area in the London Borough of Harrow, northwest London, United Kingdom. It is a suburban area and is situated 12.2 miles northwest of Charing Cross...
, Middlesex
Middlesex
Middlesex is one of the historic counties of England and the second smallest by area. The low-lying county contained the wealthy and politically independent City of London on its southern boundary and was dominated by it from a very early time...
, Wilkinson was educated at John Lyon School
John Lyon School
The John Lyon School is an academically selective independent boys' school in Harrow on the Hill, Middlesex. The school was founded in 1876 by the Governors of Harrow School for the education of local boys, in belated keeping with the wishes of that school's founder, from whom the school takes its...
in Harrow. He gained a BA in Modern History
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
and Politics
Politics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
at University College, Swansea
Swansea University
Swansea University is a university located in Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom. Swansea University was chartered as University College of Swansea in 1920, as the fourth college of the University of Wales. In 1996, it changed its name to the University of Wales Swansea following structural changes...
, followed by an MA.
After six years service as a regular Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
education officer he started his academic career at the University of Wales, Cardiff
Cardiff University
Cardiff University is a leading research university located in the Cathays Park area of Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. It received its Royal charter in 1883 and is a member of the Russell Group of Universities. The university is consistently recognised as providing high quality research-based...
, as Assistant Lecturer in Politics, in 1966. He became Senior Lecturer and then Reader in Politics at Cardiff before being appointed to the first Chair in International Relations at the University of Aberdeen
University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen, an ancient university founded in 1495, in Aberdeen, Scotland, is a British university. It is the third oldest university in Scotland, and the fifth oldest in the United Kingdom and wider English-speaking world...
of 1979. His first book on terrorism, Political Terrorism was published in the key concepts in Political Science series in 1974.
In 1989 he was appointed to the first Chair in International Relations at the University of St Andrews. From 1989 to 1994 he was director of the Research Institute for the Study of Conflict and Terrorism.
During the 1997–98 academic year he was a Visiting Fellow at Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
. He is co-founder and was co-editor of the academic journal Terrorism and Political Violence 1989–2006, and directed a research project funded by the ESRC, on the preparedness of the UK for future terrorist attack. He served as Adviser to Lord Lloyd of Berwick's Inquiry into Legislation Against Terrorism, and authored vol. two, the Research Report for the Inquiry (1996).
Throughout his career, Wilkinson was a strong opponent of terrorism of all kinds. In his publications and contributions to the media he has consistently argued that the democtratic response to both domestic and international terrorism should always be guided by the Rule of Law. For example, he publicly opposed attempts to increase the period permitted to detain terrorism suspects without trial in the UK and condemned the Guantánamo detention camp project and other measures by the administration of US President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
that departed from basic Rule of Law Principles (see Terrorism Versus Democracy: The Liberal State Response, pp. 61–88)
He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours. Wilkinson died on 11 August 2011, aged 74. He advised the UK Government
Government of the United Kingdom
Her Majesty's Government is the central government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Government is led by the Prime Minister, who selects all the remaining Ministers...
on terrorism.
Single authored works
- Political Terrorism (1974)
- Terrorism Versus Democracy (1976)
- Terrorism and the Liberal State (1977)
- Terrorism: International Dimensions (1979)
- The New Fascists (1981)
- The New Fascists (second edition) (1983)
- Terrorism and the Liberal State (second edition) (1986)
- Lessons of Lockerbie (1989)
- Terrorist Targets and Tactics (1990)
- The Victims of Terrorism: Research Report of the Airey Neave Trust (1994)
- Combating International Terrorism (1995)
- Inquiry into Legislation Against Terrorism, volume two, research report (1996)
- Terrorism Versus Democracy: The Liberal State Response (2000)
- Terrorism Versus Democracy: The Liberal State Response, second edition revised and updated (2006)
- International Relations: A Very Short Introduction (2007)
Jointly authored works
- Terrorism: Theory and Practice (1978)
- British Perspective on Terrorism (1981)
- Contemporary Research on Terrorism (1986)
- Terrorism and International Order (1986)
- Technology and Terrorism (1993)
- Terrorism: British Perspectives (1993)
- Aviation Terrorism and Security (1999)
- Addressing the New Terrorism (2003)
- Terrorism and Human Rights (2006)
- Homeland Security in the UK: Future Preparedness for Terrorist Attacks since 9/11 (2007)