Initial blame from the government was on ETA, a Basque separatist group campaigning for independence from Spain and France, but ETA has since categorically denied involvement. There is evidence pointing for and against ETA involvement;

Al Qaeda has also been blamed. The meticulous planning and spectacular nature of the bombings follow the hallmarks of Al Qaeda. A tape also has surfaced of a man talking in Moroccan accented Arabic claiming responsibility on behalf of Al Qaeda, and says the bombings “were a response to the crimes you have caused the world, concretely in Afghanistan.” This would be a reference to the Spanish government’s gung ho support for the American-led war on terror, and the one thousand Spanish troops stationed in Afgha

Basque separatists could also use this argument. They are released from the Social Contract because they aren’t allowed to rule themselves, the Spanish and French rule them, so they can break the rules and do harm to others. By making the Basque people live under Spanish laws, they could argue

“What course of conduct would promote the greatest amount of happiness for all those who will be affected.” – Rachels (2003) pg 93.

Muslim terrorists could say that because several of the Muslim countries are ruled by kings who are largely controlled and kept in power by American and western influence, they are denied the right to form this government.

“We are demanding that they accept the burdens imposed by the social arrangement even though they are denied its benefits.” – Rachels, (2003) Pg 155.

But Muslims should have used another method of protest, as their position can only be justified using the social contract on a global scale, which is weaker than the Spanish position being justified with social contract on a national scale. So it would be more ethically viable, although probably less effective for Muslim or Basque people to protest their situations in their own countries, as opposed to causing harm to other countries.

Some topics in this essay:
Afghanistan Iraq, Al Qaeda, Mill Rachels, Social Contract, Locke Roth, According Rachels2003, Spanish Utilitarian, Ethics March, Spanish French, War Terror, social contract, al qaeda, terrorists argue, spanish people, basque people, war terror, rachels 2003, muslim terrorists, social contract theory, muslim basque, � rachels, using social contract, atocha train station, contract theory according, rachels 2003 pg,