Root Causes of Terrorism: Myths, Reality and Ways Forward [Paperback]

Tore Bjørgo (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 7, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0415351502 | ISBN-13: 978-0415351508 | Edition: New edition

This team of international experts analyses the possibilities and limitations of preventing or reducing terrorism by addressing the factors that give rise to it and sustain it. The key questions raised include:

* what are the main circumstances that provide preconditions for the emergence of various types of terrorism?

* what are the typical precipitants that trigger terrorist campaigns?

* to what extent is it possible to reduce the problem of terrorism by influencing these causes and circumstances?

* should we address those factors that sustain terrorist campaigns rather than root causes?

This book is edited by Tore Bjørgo - Senior Research Fellow at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI), Professor and Research Director at the Norwegian Police University College.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This volume will generate great interest in its findings. The task of uncovering a rebellion's root causes is complicated, Bjorgo reminds us, because certain types of causes, such as poverty or modernization, produce all kinds of social outcomes, of which terrorism is just one. It is this sort of insight that permeates the other contributions to this volume, which address the underlying social and psychological causes of terrorism, state sponsorship as a root of terrorism, causes driving specific terrorist rebellions, and conceptual frameworks for resolving terrorism's causes.
–The Washington Times, November 27, 2005

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; New edition edition (December 7, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415351502
• ISBN-13: 978-0415351508
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #652,606 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good collection, October 16, 2007

By 

James M. Lutz (Fort Wayne IN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Root Causes of Terrorism: Myths, Reality and Ways Forward (Hardcover)

Bjorgo's collection is an excellent one. It covers most of the major topics that are important for terrorism today. The contributors to the volume are generally experts in the field. To its credit the book does not focus overly much on either the Middle East or Islam; it considers other types of terrorism in other geographical regions. The book is nicely balanced in this regard.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars General Review of Root Causes of Terrorism: Myths, reality and ways forward, January 9, 2007

By 

Geoffrey M. Hall (Las Vegas, NV USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Root Causes of Terrorism: Myths, Reality and Ways Forward (Paperback)

What this well written academic book does, is that it gives the reader insight into the broad spectrum of the phenomena of terrorism and the theories behind its roots causes--utilizing several international academics whom incorporate, overall, sound methodologies that support and challenge various terrorism theories that have emerged over the last several decades. The only negative critique I propose is that its contributing scholars are predominantly liberal in orientation (which is not necessarily inaccurate in and of itself)--but the contributions of such leading American experts, the likes of Brian Jenkins and Bruce Hoffman, are missing.