Toward a Phenomenology of Terrorism

This book examines the socio-psychological dynamics and drivers of terrorism from a humanistic perspective. Most interpret terrorism as meaningless, asocial violence but this book argues that it's not just a case of seeing 'who is killing whom' but that defining and understanding terrorism is configured by historical context and immediate experience. The author argues that these acts of terrorist violence can be interpreted as the external expression of repressed feelings and impulses that have been tabooized by mainstream society. Upon release, these terrorists gain a new 'nomos' which generates a sense of meaning and significance for them. This book draws on psycho-analytical theories of repression, Heideggerian existentialism, Berger's anthropological concept of culture as 'nomos', and Roger Griffin's analysis of terrorist fanaticism, adding to the understanding terrorism andcriminality from a new perspective and beyond the usual literature situated in political science, security/war and peace studies. This book seeks to provide: a definition of terrorism, an account of the psychological theory, an explanation of the nomic dimension of terroristic violence, an exploration of the relevance of the new approach to understanding: Salafi jihadism, Al-Qaeda, Islamic State, the Taliban, White Supremacism, the rise of the Radical Right, and reflections on this for combating terrorism. It appeals to those interested in terrorism, conflict, terrorist radicalization and motivation, international relations, politics and religious politics, and to counter-terrorism agencies.

Offers a creative and valuable perspective on the drivers of terrorism Applies psychology to the context of terrorism including the manifestation of repression and suppression Expands on the existing literature by providing a more humanities/social science focused perspective

Autorentext
David Polizzi is currently teaching in the School of Criminology and Security Studies at Indiana State University, USA. He has a PhD in Clinical Psychology and an MA in Humanistic Psychology along with an MA in International Affairs. Prior to pursing his PhD in Clinical Psychology, he worked as a forensic psychotherapist both in maximum security penitentiary settings along with individuals returning to the community.

Klappentext

This book examines the socio-psychological dynamics and drivers of terrorism from a humanistic perspective. Most interpret terrorism as meaningless, asocial violence but this book argues that it's not just a case of seeing 'who is killing whom' but that defining and understanding terrorism is configured by historical context and immediate experience. The author argues that these acts of terrorist violence can be interpreted as the external expression of repressed feelings and impulses that have been tabooized by mainstream society. Upon release, these terrorists gain a new 'nomos' which generates a sense of meaning and significance for them. This book draws on psycho-analytical theories of repression, Heideggerian existentialism, Berger s anthropological concept of culture as nomos , and Roger Griffin s analysis of terrorist fanaticism, adding to the understanding terrorism and criminality from a new perspective and beyond the usual literature situated in political science, security/war and peace studies. This book seeks to provide: a definition of terrorism, an account of the psychological theory, an explanation of the nomic dimension of terroristic violence, an exploration of the relevance of the new approach to understanding: Salafi jihadism, Al-Qaeda, Islamic State, the Taliban, White Supremacism, the rise of the Radical Right, and reflections on this for combating terrorism. It appeals to those interested in terrorism, conflict, terrorist radicalization and motivation, international relations, politics and religious politics, and to counter-terrorism agencies.

Inhalt
Chapter 1: What Comes Before.- Chapter 2: What's in a Name: Constructing Terrorism.- Chapter 3: The Phenomenology of the Nomos.- Chapter 4: Toward a Phenomenology of Jihad: Salifist Jihadi Perspectives.- Chapter 5: Al-Qaeda and the Rise of Global Jihad.- Chapter 6: The Islamic State and the Return of the Caliphate.- Chapter 7: The Taliban and Hezbollah: Political Parties or Terror Organizations.- Chapter 8: White Supremacy and the Digital World: The Social Construction of White Identity.- Chapter 9: The Reemergence of the Far-Right.- Chapter 10: Beyond Who Is Killing Whom.