Essentials of Terrorism: Concepts and Controversies
SAGE Journal Articles
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INTRODUCTION TO THE ARTICLES
The study of terrorism and political violence is a challenging field of study that requires experts, students, and members of society to understand the underlying reasons for the growth of terrorist environments, as well as the characteristics of these environments. Those who examine terrorism must necessarily study data and theories grounded from a variety of disciplines, including political science, conflict resolution, history, psychology, sociology, and the administration of justice.
Societies and the international community are perennially challenged by the problems of dissident and state-sponsored terrorism. These problems are not new, and have historically posed very serious policy and human challenges for governments and resident populations. Unfortunately, these are problems that have not been solved, and which continue to be present on a global scale. Political violence is found in many regions, and exists across many ethno-national, religious, and ideological belief systems. There are no ideal political, national, or social profiles that guarantee immunity from the possibility of being touched by terrorist violence.
The purpose of this online resource is to stimulate critical discussion about the attributes and idiosyncrasies of terrorism and terrorist environments. This resource is organized into thematic parts which correspond to the textbook’s chapters. Articles have been selected from reputable scholarly journals, and additional articles are recommended for further study.
The study of terrorism and political violence is a challenging field of study that requires experts, students, and members of society to understand the underlying reasons for the growth of terrorist environments, as well as the characteristics of these environments. Those who examine terrorism must necessarily study data and theories grounded from a variety of disciplines, including political science, conflict resolution, history, psychology, sociology, and the administration of justice.
Societies and the international community are perennially challenged by the problems of dissident and state-sponsored terrorism. These problems are not new, and have historically posed very serious policy and human challenges for governments and resident populations. Unfortunately, these are problems that have not been solved, and which continue to be present on a global scale. Political violence is found in many regions, and exists across many ethno-national, religious, and ideological belief systems. There are no ideal political, national, or social profiles that guarantee immunity from the possibility of being touched by terrorist violence.
The purpose of this online resource is to stimulate critical discussion about the attributes and idiosyncrasies of terrorism and terrorist environments. This resource is organized into thematic parts which correspond to the textbook’s chapters. Articles have been selected from reputable scholarly journals, and additional articles are recommended for further study.
TEN CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS
- Does a central cause exist which explains terrorist violence?
- Is it possible to accurately predict the likelihood of terrorist violence?
- What are the policy implications of research that indicates an association between political repression and subsequent terrorist violence?
- Do “hard line” approaches effectively reduce the incidence of terrorism?
- Are particular socio-economic environments responsible for the formation of terrorist environments?
- Are innovations such as peace processes effective?
- How popular is the current “war on terrorism?” What explains different public opinions in different countries?
- What are some of the challenges faced by reformers who sincerely seek to redress grievances that are championed by violent extremists?
- How important are international organizations such as the United Nations for preventing terrorist violence?
- Has enough research been conducted on the sociological and psychological causes of extremist behavior?
Chapter Eleven: Homeland Security
Gabbidon, Penn, Jordan and Higgins explore the problem of racial profiling at airports from the perspective of perceptions by demographic populations. Specifically, comparison data are presented for perceptions by African Americans, whites, and Latinos. Keiran Hardy investigates the concept of resilience within the context of the UK’s national strategy for countering terrorism. Harlow reviews literature discussing the propriety of extraordinary renditions. Neil Macmaster discusses the recent debate about torture within the context of lessons learned in France from the use of torture during the war in Algeria. Malka and Soto examine the thesis that religiosity has conflicting influences on Americans' attitudes about the use of torture on terrorism suspects. Laurie Manwell investigates how individuals are manipulated by the media and government into forfeiting their civil protections. The author reviews cognitive constructs which inhibit the ability of people to process information which challenges their preexisting conclusions. Kathleen Moore discusses pluralism in the United States within the experiential context of Muslims in America. Murray critiques the Obama administration’s prosecution of the ‘war on terror’ from a constitutional perspective. Nahaie and de Lint Explore surveillance in the United States and Canada within the context of data derived from surveys conducted in both countries. Alberto Rocha, an inmate in Calipatria State Prison in California, equates the domestic “war on gangs” with the “war on terrorism.” Sturkin examines how the U.S. practice of torture is mediated in American culture. In Thorne and Kouzmin’s article, a comparative examination is made of the UK, EU, United States, and Australia’s anti-terrorism legislation. The discussion is presented within the context of “state crimes against democracy” and the “politics of fear.” Michael Walzer explores the application of standards of operations for special operations forces. Wheeler’s article examines moral theories that are available for analyzing the deaths of innocents in the war against terrorism. Wilke explores the designation of prisoners as enemy combatants within the context of assuring that justice is upheld.
Hardy, Keiran. “Resilience in UK Counter-Terrorism.” In Theoretical Criminology, 18:3 (2014).
Macmaster, Neil. “Torture: from Algiers to Abu Ghraib.” In Race & Class, vol. 46 (October 2004).