Contemporary debates on terrorism
Edited by Richard Jackson and Daniela Pisoiu
- 2nd ed.
- Milton : Taylor and Francis, c2018.
- xxv, 292 p. : ill. ; 25 cm.
Cover; Title; Copyright; Contents; Acknowledgements; The editors; Notes on contributors; Introduction: contemporary debates on terrorism; Part I The definition and study of terrorism; 1 Is terrorism still a useful analytical term, or should it be abandoned?; YES: an agreed concept is possible and useful; NO: a landscape of meaning: constructing understandings of political violence from the broken paradigm of â#x80;#x98;terrorismâ#x80;#x99;; Discussion questions; Further readings; 2 Is Critical Terrorism Studies a useful approach to the study of terrorism?; YES: the necessity of a critical approach. NO: donâ#x80;#x99;t give it the oxygen of publicityDiscussion questions; Further readings; Part II Categories of terrorism; 3 Is there a â#x80;#x98;new terrorismâ#x80;#x99; in existence today?; YES: the relevance of the â#x80;#x98;new terrorismâ#x80;#x99; concept; NO: the fallacy of the new terrorism thesis; Discussion questions; Further readings; 4 Can states be terrorists?; YES: terrorism is an equal opportunity tactic; NO: state terrorism: who needs it?; Discussion questions; Further readings; Part III The terrorism threat; 5 Is terrorism a serious threat to international and national security? YES: the continuing threat to state securityNO: the myth of terrorism as an existential threat; Discussion questions; Further readings; 6 Is WMD terrorism a likely prospect in the future?; YES: the impact of CBRN terrorism â#x80;#x93; a general perspective; NO: WMD terrorism: the prospects; Discussion questions; Further readings; 7 Is cyberterrorism a real threat?; YES: why we should start from this assumption; NO: a narrated catastrophe, not a real threat; Discussion questions; Further readings; 8 Does al-Qaeda still pose the more significant threat? YES: the enduring al-Qaeda threat: a network perspectiveNO: al-Qaeda: a diminishing threat; Discussion questions; Further readings; 9 Are returning foreign fighters future terrorists?; YES: returning foreign fighters are future terrorists; NO: terrorists returning home were not radicalised abroad; Discussion questions; Further readings; Part IV The causes of terrorism; 10 Is terrorism the result of root causes such as poverty and exclusion?; YES: how structural factors explain terrorism; NO: poverty and exclusion are not the root causes of terrorism; Discussion questions; Further readings. 11 Is religious extremism a major cause of terrorism?YES: religious extremism as a major cause of terrorism; NO: â#x80;#x98;religious terrorismâ#x80;#x99; as ideology; Discussion questions; Further readings; Part V Dealing with terrorism; 12 Are counterterrorism frameworks based on suppression and military force effective in responding to terrorism?; YES: the use of force to combat terrorism; NO: wars on terror â#x80;#x93; learning the lessons of failure; Discussion questions; Further readings; 13 Are drones a useful counterterrorism tool?; YES: but the means must justify the ends.
"Contemporary Debates on Terrorism is an innovative new textbook, addressing a number of key issues in contemporary terrorism studies from both 'traditional' and 'critical' perspectives. In recent years the terrorism studies field has grown significantly, with an increasing number of scholars beginning to debate the complex dynamics underlying this category of violence. Within the broader field, there are many identifiable controversies and issues which divide scholarly opinion, a number of which are discussed in this text: - Theoretical issues, such as the definition of terrorism and state terrorism; - Substantive issues, including the threat posed by al Qaeda and the utility of different responses to terrorism; - Ethical issues, encompassing the torture of terrorist suspects and targeted assassination The format of the volume involves a leading scholar taking a particular position on the controversy, followed by an opposing or alternative viewpoint written by another contributor. In addition to the pedagogic value of allowing students to read opposing arguments in one place, the volume will also be important for providing an overview of the state of the field and its key lines of debate. Contemporary Debates on Terrorism will be essential reading for all students of terrorism and political violence, critical terrorism studies, critical security studies, security studies and IR in general"--