Global Terrorism

by James M. Lutz (editor), Brenda Lutz (Editor)

This collection brings together the very best research on terrorism as viewed from a global and comparative perspective. Many of the papers included are from the post-9/11 period, which has seen a significant increase in the volume of research on terrorism whose focus goes beyond individual groups or countries. There are also a number of extremely important contributions that trace the development of this strand of terrorism research in the second half of the twentieth century, in particular the 1980s and 1990s. The collection covers the following " Causes of Terrorism " Tactics and Targets " Religious Terrorism " Ethnic/Nationalist Terrorism " Ideological Terrorism " Terrorist Groups and Criminal Organizations " State Involvement in Terrorism " Countermeasures " The Global ′War on Terrorism′ The editors′ introductory essay contextualises the selection, sets out a basic framework on terrorism and terrorists, and discusses some of the groups and countries that are especially relevant to the analysis of global terrorism.

Genres: Terrorism, Politics, International Relations

1648 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2004

Reviews

[Coan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Global Terrorism is an excellent starter text book for anyone wishing to learn about the history, causes, methodology, responses and players involved in terrorism (both in the past and today).

Filled with case studies, you'll learn both how simple terrorist acts can be but also the geopolitical, racial, religious and idealogical complexities that sit behind it. The book is broad in its depictions of terrorism by including other bases of terrorism beyond the religious focus that is today's most often referred to cause. This is a good approach as terrorism has so much more history and nuance that requires thought to really understand it.

As mentioned, I call this a 'starter' text book. You'll get a good understanding of terrorism but particular aspects you might want to know more about will require additional reading (such as any particular case of terrorism or legal frameworks for handling it). That said, this doesn't detract from the book.

An honest, but disturbing truth, I found reading this book is that in some cases it is evident that terrorism clearly works. The book goes into details by its case studies of where and how it has worked but generally it is through a protracted series of terrorist incidents rather than through any one off incident. However, it is also clear that it doesn't always work (and the book explains base theory on reactions to mitigate terrorism -noting you can never truly 'stop' it from ever occurring).

If you've ever wanted to learn about this subject and even a little about world history/international relations, I think you'll enjoy this book. But please keep in mind, it is very much a text book style approach to learning. I certainly found some chapters more interesting than others (the book does go into rather a lot of detail of different causes of terrorism that I think could have been merged -particularly left/right wing ideologies which I don't think needed separate chapters). The language is simple to understand and I think the subject matter is worth discussing with others after you read it.

3.5 out of 5.

[Peter Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

THis was a core reader for uni and it made the difference between me doing alright and the solid high distinction that i eventually achieved.
Worth it buy it.