Are America's security measures effective? New York Journal of Books reviews Harvey Molotch book

Sept. 11, 2012 - PRLog -- Professor Harvey Molotch’s new book, “Against Security: How We Go Wrong at Airports, Subways, and Other Sites of Ambiguous Danger” was released just prior to the eleventh anniversary of 9/11. According to a review in New York Journal of Books. It is a telling and highly readable commentary on America’s approach to keeping this nation secure. New York Journal of Books reviewer, David E. Spiro is Adjunct Associate Professor of International Political Economy at Columbia University, a management consultant with The Strategy Practice, and a Visiting Scholar at the International Studies Association. Professor Spiro acknowledges Molotch’s premise that cumbersome security measures, while assuaging the public’s sense of fear that was “deeply and profoundly upset by the terrorist attacks of 9/11, are not measurably effective in keeping America safe.

"Professor Spiro comments, “Following 9/11, U.S. society reacted by constructing a complicated and largely useless “security theater.”  Policies give the appearance of keeping control and protecting people against existential threats, but in reality they do very little.”

According to Professor Spiro, the foundation of the author's claims is “ what scholars call “risk irrationality.” People underestimate the risk of driving a car or crossing a street, but overestimate the risk of flying airplanes. We worry less about things over which we think we have control (such as driving), and more about the potential for fatal events we cannot do anything about. Spiro describes Professor Molotch's case studies that involve our sense of security: public toilets, subways, airports, and the response to hurricane Katrina.

Reviewer Spiro also comments on  the symbolic rebuilding of the ground zero site, namely the “Freedom Tower” now under construction and slated to reach 1776 feet (if the television antenna on top is counted in its official height). Spiro concurs with Professor Molotch in questioning this endeavor and points out that one of the author’s friends has named it the “Bomb Me First Building.”  Reviewer Spiro offers his own suggestion towards questioning the rationale behind this rebuilding effort:
" I suggest subsidizing a lease for the top floors to the Target Corporation, with the condition that they place their logo on the outside of the building.”

While the seriousness of 9/11 is never called into question, Molotch’s book does inspire a hard investigation of the nation’s security responses.Professor Spiro notes that Professor Molotch concludes each chapter with reasonable suggestions for improved security.

Overall, Spiro recommends “Against Security: How We Go Wrong at Airports, Subways, and Other Sites of Ambiguous Danger" as "an interesting book that will appeal to all sorts of readers… It never falters in presenting interesting and thought provoking stories, which will make it attractive to an audience much broader than social scientists.”

Click the link below to read the review at New York Journal of Books:

nyjournalofbooks.com/review/against-security-how-we-go-wrong-airports-subways-and-other-sites-ambiguous-danger

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