The Lesser Evil is not just one of Michael Ignatieff's most important works, it is a work that should be valued by democratic societies the world over. Here, Mr. Ignatieff argues that judicial and legislative review are the only roadblocks in the way of the State ramming through destructive laws that strip away our freedoms in the name of safeguarding the People. If a government is allowed to operate in secret, it will be secretive. If a government is allowed to torture, it will torture. If a government is allowed to suspend the inalienable rights of its citizens, it will suspend those rights. There will always be emergencies and emergencies will always send governments reaching for extraordinary powers, for the preservation of the People and for the preservation of itself.
These are but some of the many reasons why the other branches of the State must have the power to hold government accountable for its actions, to remind it what is lawful and what is not. Governments are creatures of expedience which must be balanced out by institutions that hold the long view. Otherwise, there will only be the erosion of freedoms and the degradation of the rule of law, all in the name of national security.> (4/5 Stars)
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