Debating Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Conflicting Perspectives on Causes, Contexts, and Responses

by Stuart Gottlieb (Editor)

Featuring paired pro/con pieces written specifically for this volume, Debating Terrorism and Counterterrorism : Conflicting Perspectives on Causes, Contexts, and Responses encourages students to grapple with the central debates surrounding the field of terrorism. With topics ranging from the root causes of terrorism, the role of religion in terrorism, whether suicide terrorism is ever justified, whether the spread of democracy can help defeat terrorism, and what trade-offs should exist between security and civil liberties, Gottlieb′s outstanding cast of contributors returns, compelling students to wrestle with the conflicting perspectives that define the field.

Stuart Gottlieb frames the paired essays with incisive headnotes, providing historical context and preparing students to read each argument critically. Each selection has been updated to account for recent world events, policy changes, and new scholarship. New to the reader, and by reviewer request, is a chapter, "Can Global Institutions Make a Difference in Fighting Terrorism?"

Genres: Politics

432 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2013

Reviews

[Eugenia Montiel Aceti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read some of the chapters of this book in order to write an undergraduate university paper.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pretty good textbook on the various debates among scholars and policy wonks about terrorism and what to do about it. It is structured around an issue, then a pro and a con essay about that issue. Most of the chapters on terrorism are at a large scale. The book shifts to a small scale view when it gets to counterterrorism. It fails to address operational and tactical considerations and focuses instead on strategy and grand strategy.

The book is appropriate for an upper division or graduate class on terrorism, but should not be the sole text. It needs further context than the book provides.