Terrorism, Crime, and Public Policy

This textbook is a reference on current questions and topics about terrorism.

Brian Forst (Author)

9780521859240, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 20 October 2008

520 pages, 35 b/w illus.
25.4 x 17.8 x 2.3 cm, 1.22 kg

“Whenever Brian Forst addresses a new subject area, he comes at it with a broad lens, bringing both openness and a good analytical foundation. The result is usually something enlightening for both the experienced hand and newcomer. This text is no exception. I especially like his linking of some of the standard academic arguments with those that are taking place in the elite press. This is another way to engage students who are familiar with the arguments in the press and a way to educate those who are ignorant of the elite press. I really got a kick out of the pictures of the various commentators, folks I had read but never seen. It lessens the awe with which these people are viewed and lets students feel that they too can participate in the debate. This is a great introductory text: enjoyable to read, comprehensive, and fair.” – James P. Lynch, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York

Terrorism, Crime, and Public Policy describes the problem of terrorism; compares it to other forms of aggression, particularly crime and war; and discusses policy options for dealing with the terrorism. It focuses on the causes of terrorism with the aim of understanding its roots and providing insights toward policies that will serve to prevent it. The book serves as a single-source reference on terrorism and as a platform for more in-depth study, with a set of discussion questions at the end of each chapter. Individual chapters focus on the nature of terrorism, theories of aggression and terrorism, the history of terrorism, the role of religion, non-religious extremism and terrorism, the role of technology, terrorism throughout the modern world, responses to terrorism, fear of terrorism, short-term approaches and long-term strategies for preventing terrorism, balancing security and rights to liberty and privacy, and pathways to a safer and saner 21st century.

1. The nature of terrorism
2. Theories of aggression and terrorism
3. A brief history of terrorism
4. Two trajectories of humankind: globalization or clash?
5. Religion, the state, and terrorism
6. Nonreligious extremism and terrorism
7. Technology and terrorism
8. Terrorism throughout the world
9. Responses to terrorism
10. Fear of terrorism
11. Preventing terrorism: short-term approaches
12. Preventing terrorism: long-term strategies
13. Balancing security and rights to liberty and privacy
14. Toward a safer and saner 21st century.

Subject Areas: Terrorism, armed struggle [JPWL], Crime & criminology [JKV], Sociology [JHB]