Stephen Vertigans

This is the first terrorism textbook based on sociological research. It adopts an innovative framework that draws together historical and modern, local and global, and social processes for a range of individuals, groups and societies. Individual behaviour and dispositions are embedded within these broader relationships and activities, allowing a more holistic account of terrorism to emerge. In addition, the shifting forms of identification and interwoven attitudes to political violence are discussed in order to explain the emergence, continuation, and end of ‘terrorist’ careers. The book draws on examples from across the discursive spectrum, including religious, ‘red’ and ‘black’ racialist, nationalist, and trans-national. It also spans territories as diverse as Chechnya, Germany, Italy, Japan, Northern Ireland, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, South America, the UK, and the US.

This is the first terrorism textbook based on sociological research. It adopts an innovative framework that draws together historical and modern, local and global, and social processes for a range of individuals, groups and societies. Individual behaviour and dispositions are embedded within these broader relationships and activities, allowing a more holistic account of terrorism to emerge. In addition, the shifting forms of identification and interwoven attitudes to political violence are discussed in order to explain the emergence, continuation, and end of ‘terrorist’ careers. The book draws on examples from across the discursive spectrum, including religious, ‘red’ and ‘black’ racialist, nationalist, and trans-national. It also spans territories as diverse as Chechnya, Germany, Italy, Japan, Northern Ireland, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, South America, the UK, and the US.

Militant Islam provides a sociological framework for understanding the rise and character of recent Islamic militancy. It takes a systematic approach to the phenomenon and includes analysis of cases from around the world, comparisons with militancy in other religions, and their causes and consequences. The sociological concepts and theories examined in the book include those associated with social closure, social movements, nationalism, risk, fear and ‘de-civilising’. These are applied within three main themes; characteristics of militant Islam, multi-layered causes and the consequences of militancy, in particular Western reactions within the ‘war on terror’. Interrelationships between religious and secular behaviour, ‘terrorism’ and ‘counter-terrorism’, popular support and opposition are explored. Through the examination of examples from across Muslim societies and communities, the analysis challenges the popular tendency to concentrate upon ‘al-Qa’ida’ and the Middle East. This book will be of interest to students of Sociology, Political Science and International Relations, in particular those taking courses on Islam, religion, terrorism, political violence and related regional studies.

Militant Islam provides a sociological framework for understanding the rise and character of recent Islamic militancy. It takes a systematic approach to the phenomenon and includes analysis of cases from around the world, comparisons with militancy in other religions, and their causes and consequences. The sociological concepts and theories examined in the book include those associated with social closure, social movements, nationalism, risk, fear and ‘de-civilising’. These are applied within three main themes; characteristics of militant Islam, multi-layered causes and the consequences of militancy, in particular Western reactions within the ‘war on terror’. Interrelationships between religious and secular behaviour, ‘terrorism’ and ‘counter-terrorism’, popular support and opposition are explored. Through the examination of examples from across Muslim societies and communities, the analysis challenges the popular tendency to concentrate upon ‘al-Qa’ida’ and the Middle East. This book will be of interest to students of Sociology, Political Science and International Relations, in particular those taking courses on Islam, religion, terrorism, political violence and related regional studies.

Which socializing agents are influential in people joining terror groups? What ideologies do terror groups hold? Which aspects of societies and social contexts contribute towards groups forming and people joining them? This book considers a range of influential terror groups from the last 40 years, exploring relationships between people, local and global social processes, and activities that result in acts of terrorism. Examining Islamic groups alongside nationalist, 'red' and far right organizations, Stephen Vertigans identifies important similarities in the social contexts, experiences of members and some of their demands. Key questions are applied to a range of case studies of contemporary relevance. The groups studied originated from Europe, the United States, Asia and Africa and are associated with religion, nationalism, pro-state terrorism, militias and racism. Each chapter offers the reader a clear understanding about why particular terror groups form, while comparative analysis draws out commonalities and distinctions.

The contemporary resurgence of Islam in all of its varied manifestations demands the attention of social scientists. This ground-breaking book provides a unique insight into resurgent Islam from the standpoint of sociology. Clearly written, and jargon free, the book aims to create a more comprehensive and balanced understanding of recent Islamic resurgence. Amongst the many themes explored, the book brings together in a single theoretical framework debates on the diversity of Islam, moderate and radical forms of Islamic belief, secularisation, the role of education and socialisation, the impact of globalization processes, and 'Islamic terrorism' and its causes. Resurgent Islam provides a genuinely refreshing sociological alternative to the many politically loaded arguments on 'Islam and the West'. As such, it encourages deeper reflection on the causes of the current religious resurgence and associated conflicts. The book will be essential reading for students across the social sciences, and for anyone seeking to understand how Islam has risen to prominence in local, national, and global contexts.

The contemporary resurgence of Islam in all of its varied manifestations demands the attention of social scientists. This ground-breaking book provides a unique insight into resurgent Islam from the standpoint of sociology. Clearly written, and jargon free, the book aims to create a more comprehensive and balanced understanding of recent Islamic resurgence. Amongst the many themes explored, the book brings together in a single theoretical framework debates on the diversity of Islam, moderate and radical forms of Islamic belief, secularisation, the role of education and socialisation, the impact of globalization processes, and 'Islamic terrorism' and its causes. Resurgent Islam provides a genuinely refreshing sociological alternative to the many politically loaded arguments on 'Islam and the West'. As such, it encourages deeper reflection on the causes of the current religious resurgence and associated conflicts. The book will be essential reading for students across the social sciences, and for anyone seeking to understand how Islam has risen to prominence in local, national, and global contexts.