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Terrorism is the most clear and present danger we confront today, yet no phenomenon is more poorly understood by policymakers, the media, and the general public. The Faces of Terrorism is the first serious interdisciplinary examination of terrorism in all its facets. What gives rise to it, who are its proponents and how do they think, and how--and why--does it work? Neil Smelser begins by tackling the fundamental problem of defining what exactly terrorism is. He shows why a precise definition has eluded us until now, and he proposes one that takes into account the full complexities of this unconventional and politically charged brand of violence. He explores the root causes and conditions of terrorism, and examines the ideologies that inspire and fuel it throughout the world. Smelser looks closely at the terrorists themselves--their recruitment, their motivations, the groups they form, their intended audiences, and their uses of the media in pursuing their agendas. He studies the target societies as well, unraveling the complicated social and psychological impacts of having to cope with the ever-present threat of a terrorist strike--and responding when one occurs. He explains what it means to live under constant threat of terrorism, and addresses the thorny domestic and foreign policy challenges this poses. Throughout, Smelser draws from the latest findings in sociology, political science, anthropology, economics, psychology, psychiatry, and history. The Faces of Terrorism provides the breadth of scope necessary to understand--and ultimately eliminate--this most pressing global threat.
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Copyright 2007 by Princeton University Press Published by Princeton University Press, 41 William Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08540 In the United Kingdom: Princeton University Press, 3 Market Place, Woodstock, Oxfordshire OX20 1SY All Rights Reserved Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Smelser, Neil J. The faces of terrorism : social and psychological dimensions / Neil J. Smelser p. cm. (Science essentials) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN-13: 978-0-691-13308-9 (hardcover : alk. paper) 1. Terrorism. 2. Terrorism—Social aspects. 3. Terrorism—Psychological aspects. I. Title HV6431.S63 2007 303.6c25—dc22 2007004837 British Library Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available This book has been composed in Minion Printed on acid-free paper. f press.princeton.edu Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Contents PART I INTRODUCTION 1 The Paradoxes of Terrorism 3 CAUSES AND DYNAMICS 9 CHAPTER 1 PART II CHAPTER 2 Conditions and Causes of Terrorism 11 Ideological Bases of Terrorist Behavior 54 Motivation, Social Origins, Recruitment, Groups, Audiences, and the Media in the Terrorism Process 90 CHAPTER 3 CHAPTER 4 PART III CONSEQUENCES AND CONTROL 121 Anticipating, Experiencing, and Responding to Terrorist Attacks 123 Discouraging Terrorism 160 The Long-Term International Context of Terrorism 200 The Infernal Problems of Definition and Designation 229 CHAPTER 5 CHAPTER 6 CHAPTER 7 APPENDIX vi C O N T E N T S ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 251 REFERENCES 253 INDEX 273 PART I INTRODUCTION This page intentionally left blank CHAPTER 1 The Paradoxes of Terrorism TERRORISM as a contemporary phenomenon teems with paradoxes. For at least three decades, many who have studied it have regarded it as the “conflict for our time” (Clutterbuck, 1977, p. 13). Yet the same author who advertised it in those words also regarde