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Origins of Terrorism: Psychologies, Ideologies, Theologies, States of Mind
Terrorists and terrorism have become a major force internationally. Hostage-taking and other acts of violence for political ends are common all over the globe. This groundbreaking study sheds new light on the phenomenon of terrorism. This book examines and explains the nature and sources of terrorists' beliefs, actions, goals, worldviews, and states of mind. Origins of Terrorism addresses, with scholarly responsibility as well as necessary urgency, one of the most vexing intellectual and political challenges of our time. The contributors to this book bring deep learning and experience in realms that are vital to an understanding of the arenas within which terrorist behavior takes place-arenas such as ideology, nationalism and religion. The authors explore terrorist behavior in its troubling richness and diversity, and identify the ways in which it develops, grows and sustains itself. In addition, they study the mechanisms that enable terrorists to easily carry out violent acts against innocents, as well as the ways in which leaders of governments respond to terrorist actions and threats. Finally, they identify the opportunities for future research in the psychology of terrorism as well as the limits of such research This collection, under Reich's editorship, will help us to understand terrorism as well as the motivations behind it. Origins of Terrorism , which is being published simultaneously in hardcover and paperback, is an important study which is bound to affect the way we look at world politics.
304 pages, Paperback
First published May 25, 1990
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 20, 2008
This book was written before the huge surge in interest in terrorism in the United States brought on by 9/11. Since so much has been written since 1998, to read this book alone would leave the reader a bit behind the times on the subject. Nevertheless, I would recommend anyone interested in the topic starting here.
The parts dealing with the psychology of terror are quite relevant - how do terrorists justify to themselves what they do and how can engaging in terrorist acts alter the views of those who commit them? How do the defenders of terrorism in the name of religion get around prohibitions on suicide? If ever there were a vivid description of rationalization, you'll find it in the chapter, "The Moral Logic of Hizballah" in the account of the views of a Lebanese cleric that adapt to the level of enthusiasm of the public, the judgments of peers and the effectiveness of terror. Success can do much to muffle opposition just as in conventional warfare techniques that were formerly abhorred can find favor if they prove useful. Who would have thought the President of the United States would scarcely hide his approval of torture (while denying it, of course).
You'll find a good historical summary of the Weathermen in the United States, the Bader/Meinhof Gang in Germany and the IRA in Northern Ireland providing evidence of how terror acts on the population in general as well as those who plan and carry out the acts. Did terror do what it is hoped that it would do?
The book is not a difficult read but it is not a casual read either. You'll need to concentrate to follow the points of the several authors and keep their ideas in mind as you move from one to the next. If you do, you'll find broad coverage that approaches the subject from many angles and reaches back in time to the first century AD.
I'm keeping my copy as a good reference on the subject.
The parts dealing with the psychology of terror are quite relevant - how do terrorists justify to themselves what they do and how can engaging in terrorist acts alter the views of those who commit them? How do the defenders of terrorism in the name of religion get around prohibitions on suicide? If ever there were a vivid description of rationalization, you'll find it in the chapter, "The Moral Logic of Hizballah" in the account of the views of a Lebanese cleric that adapt to the level of enthusiasm of the public, the judgments of peers and the effectiveness of terror. Success can do much to muffle opposition just as in conventional warfare techniques that were formerly abhorred can find favor if they prove useful. Who would have thought the President of the United States would scarcely hide his approval of torture (while denying it, of course).
You'll find a good historical summary of the Weathermen in the United States, the Bader/Meinhof Gang in Germany and the IRA in Northern Ireland providing evidence of how terror acts on the population in general as well as those who plan and carry out the acts. Did terror do what it is hoped that it would do?
The book is not a difficult read but it is not a casual read either. You'll need to concentrate to follow the points of the several authors and keep their ideas in mind as you move from one to the next. If you do, you'll find broad coverage that approaches the subject from many angles and reaches back in time to the first century AD.
I'm keeping my copy as a good reference on the subject.
December 20, 2021
Definitely a book for researchers, this is a social-science driven collection of essays from 1990 from a conference on terrorism that mostly featured political scientists and psychologists. It's pretty dry, and a lot of the essays are poorly edited and overly long. Still, there are a few useful aspects of the book: 1. It starts with paired essays the explore the rational choice and psycho-pathological approaches to the study of terrorism that hold up well and are useful as methodological contrasts (if you are into that sort of thing). 2. It covers terrorist movements reasonably well. 3. It has 2 good chapters by Martin Kramer and Albert Bandura on mechanisms of psychological/moral disengagement that allow terrorists to carry out and justify their acts.
While this book is 3 decades old, it is useful in the sense that it summarizes the field of terrorism studies pre 1990s, when the idea of a largely irrational, fanatical, mass-destruction oriented "new terrorism" challenged the more rationalist (ish) paradigm of the 1970s and 80s. I am always a doubter of the utility of rational choice perspective, and the stronger essays in this volume drift from rat choice toward more cultural, ideological, and psychological explanations. Of course, many of the essays just say: "here's why you can't generalize about terrorism," which to me always seems like an admission that historical/contextual approaches are the way to go (good illustration of why I'm a historian, not a social scientist). So this book is really for terrorism researchers of many stripes, not for the general reader.
While this book is 3 decades old, it is useful in the sense that it summarizes the field of terrorism studies pre 1990s, when the idea of a largely irrational, fanatical, mass-destruction oriented "new terrorism" challenged the more rationalist (ish) paradigm of the 1970s and 80s. I am always a doubter of the utility of rational choice perspective, and the stronger essays in this volume drift from rat choice toward more cultural, ideological, and psychological explanations. Of course, many of the essays just say: "here's why you can't generalize about terrorism," which to me always seems like an admission that historical/contextual approaches are the way to go (good illustration of why I'm a historian, not a social scientist). So this book is really for terrorism researchers of many stripes, not for the general reader.
October 27, 2012
This is pretty niche. I wouldn't recommend this book to the casual reader. The analysis of the psychological origins of terrorism is interesting, as well as some examination of cultural underpinnings to terrorism. In other words, individual psychology AND group psychology are discussed in this book with respect to their role in fuelling terrorism. Contrary to what another reviewer has said, I don't think this book is a good starting point for a reader is introducing him/herself to terrorism. A lot of the information in this book is quite obvious (it's sad that "experts" need to tell us that some folks choose to become terrorists because their agendas don't appeal to a large enough base of people). Still, this is much better than "The Infernal Machine" written by Matthew Carr (which is garbage).
March 9, 2016
This book is a good compendium of non-materialist explanations for the choice to use terrorism as a tactic and why terrorists participate in terrorism. There is an initial essay on the materialist point of view that terrorism is a rational instrumental choice undertaken due to relative power differential and that it works, which is the foil for the rest of the essays. One of the absolute key papers in the study of terrorism is included: Ariel Merari's work on what motivates suicide bombers (hint: it is not 72 virgins). The book is worth having that essay alone.
The negative, is that the book is dated now. It does not deal with terrorism in occupied and post-occupation Iraq, nor the Second Intifada. Conclusions are not necessarily invalidated, but many of the models need reconfirmation in light of additional data.
The negative, is that the book is dated now. It does not deal with terrorism in occupied and post-occupation Iraq, nor the Second Intifada. Conclusions are not necessarily invalidated, but many of the models need reconfirmation in light of additional data.
May 12, 2016
The roots of violence is of great importance to me as a pacifist. In order to know how to respond to violence it's essential to understand the answer to the question, Why is violence.
The book is a really solid entry point into this discussion. It is entirely interesting to read about terrorism pre-9/11 and pre-Bush Doctrine. Eerie even. But charting the roots BEFORE the war on terrorism put it into great light. This is clearly, dangerously, one of the many books that has not made its way into the Oval Office or the Capitol Building. To the detriment of the world.
A definite read for folks interested in stopping violence in its tracks.
Marty Troyer
Author, The Gospel Next Door
The book is a really solid entry point into this discussion. It is entirely interesting to read about terrorism pre-9/11 and pre-Bush Doctrine. Eerie even. But charting the roots BEFORE the war on terrorism put it into great light. This is clearly, dangerously, one of the many books that has not made its way into the Oval Office or the Capitol Building. To the detriment of the world.
A definite read for folks interested in stopping violence in its tracks.
Marty Troyer
Author, The Gospel Next Door
May 31, 2018
Another great book concerning the ideologies and psychologies behind members of certain groups. It was written before the changes in terrorism that followed after 9/11.
Whether Walter Reich is focusing on Hezbollah, the IRA, or the Baader-Meinhof Group aka the RAF, the author delves into policies and strategies that came with these entities in an informative manner. A very interesting and engrossing book for beginners and intermediates alike.
Whether Walter Reich is focusing on Hezbollah, the IRA, or the Baader-Meinhof Group aka the RAF, the author delves into policies and strategies that came with these entities in an informative manner. A very interesting and engrossing book for beginners and intermediates alike.
November 4, 2007
A bit aged, but it's main concepts still hold true. I did not enjoy the last section of the book devoted to hostage taking, but other then that each section was very good.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews