The Faces of Terrorism: Social and Psychological Dimensions
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"This is a fine book, remarkably broad and encompassing in its sweep. One of its most important arguments—that social scientists are underrepresented in policy approaches to countering terrorism—is absolutely correct."—Jerrold M. Post, editor of The Psychological Assessment of Political Leaders"This is an excellent book. The topic is of great importance and the treatment of it will interest both academics and the public. Smelser effectively draws on his long and distinguished career to bring in diverse perspectives and literatures."—Robert Jervis, Columbia University"Highly accessible and engaging. This book is rich in insights and gives the reader a deep appreciation of the manifold phenomena involved in terrorism and the responses to terrorism on levels of the individual, the state, and the international community."—Arie W. Kruglanski, University of Maryland"This book, by one of the world's most renowned and thoughtful social scientists, seeks to demystify and illuminate our understanding of terrorism by bringing to bear on it relevant theoretical and empirical work in the behavioral and social sciences. It suggests that a thoroughgoing understanding of terrorism requires consideration not only of its causes and participatory dimensions but also of the target societies and their responses, and the role of the media in the process."—David A. Snow, University of California, Irvine Bob Braun - Newark Star-Ledger [The Faces of Terrorism is a] comprehensive and readable look at the nature of terrorism. Smelser's book is comprehensive — and disturbing. He demonstrates both the complexity of terrorism and the simplistic nature of our leaders' view of it. At the core of his argument is the contention that suppressing minorities gives rise to ideologies that see violence as the only means of redressing grievances. Smelser laments the simplistic, jingoistic response to the problem—one abetted, he says, by media that should know better.
Introduction 1The Paradoxes of Terrorism 3Causes and Dynamics 9Conditions and Causes of Terrorism 11Ideological Bases of Terrorist Behavior 54Motivation, Social Origins, Recruitment, Groups, Audiences, and the Media in the Terrorism Process 90Consequences and Control 121Anticipating, Experiencing, and Responding to Terrorist Attacks 123Discouraging Terrorism 160The Long-Term International Context of Terrorism 200The Infernal Problems of Definition and Designation 229Acknowledgments 251References 253Index 273
