Misunderstanding Terrorism

by Marc Sageman

Misunderstanding Terrorism provides a striking reassessment of the scope and nature of the global neo-jihadi threat to the West. The post-9/11 decade experienced the emergence of new forms of political violence and new terrorist actors. More recently, Marc Sageman's understanding of how and why people have adopted fundamentalist ideologies and terrorist methods has evolved.

Author of the classic Understanding Terror Networks, Sageman has become only more critical of the US government's approach to the problem. He argues that US society has been transformed for the worse by an extreme overreaction to a limited threat - limited, he insists, despite spectacular recent incidents, which he takes fully into account. Indeed, his discussion of just how limited the threat is marks a major contribution to the discussion and debate over the best way to a measured and much more effective response.

The book is published by University of Pennsylvania Press.

Genres: Terrorism, Politics

Audible Audio

Published July 17, 2017

Reviews

[Murtaza · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine academic study placing the threat of terrorism in proper context. "Neojihadi" terrorism is a negligible phenomenon in Western countries, as Sageman demonstrates statistically, and the responses to it are almost certainly much worse than anything the terrorists could do themselves. He also talks at length about what "causes" terrorism by citing Social Identity Theory and the concept of in-group and out-group definition; a compelling framework to look at how people mobilize in political protest communities and sometimes in violence.

Sageman's findings won't be shocking for anyone who's spent time studying terrorism, but they are a useful corrective for the public at large and for debunking charlatans claiming the need for wide-scale warfare to attack what is ultimately an insignificant phenomenon in the West. When it comes to terrorism the cure is almost always worse than the disease.

[Erdoan A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you will read one book on terrorism this is it. If you read something on terrorism that doesn't quote this book, don't read it! This book is the handbook about understanding terrorism and not only! It is about political protest, dissidence, etc. MASTERPIECE

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sageman's latest book is a breath of fresh air in terrorism studies. He critically examines the use of data in examining terrorism, explains the common pitfalls of this approach, and then demonstrates a methodologically sound approach to identifying indicators. He provides a lengthy critique of both traditional radicalization studies / approaches and the US no-fly list. A must-read for anyone interested in terrorism.

[Asim Qureshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A more detailed review later - but this is an excellent summary of years of findings by the former CIA psychiatrist Marc Sageman. He provides strong statistical evidence and analysis of the threat of terrorism, but also provides much needed nuance to debates surrounding it. I feel this is a must read for those interested in the subject matter, especially as he questions so many of the conventional 'wisdoms'.