Despite a plethora of studies devoted to it, the current
understanding of al-Qaeda and the threat it poses remains vague and
ambiguous. Is al-Qaeda a rigidly structured organisation, a global
network of semi-independent cells, a franchise, or simply an
ideology? What role did Osama bin Laden play within the group and
its terrorist campaign? What does it mean to talk about the "global
Salafi-jihad" threat allegedly confronting the West? In addressing
such questions many writers have sought to offer definitive
answers, yet overall the truth about al-Qaeda remains elusive. This
book moves beyond this traditional approach in order to investigate
and critically assess how such answers reflect the particular
epistemological frameworks within which they are produced. Its
chapters explore the varied contexts within which the obscure
entity labelled al-Qaeda is constituted as a comprehensible object
of political, strategic, cultural, and scientific knowledge, and
within which 'terrorism' is rendered an experience of quotidian
life. This volume offers a much-needed critical reflection on
Western ways of talking and of thinking about the frightening
experience of global terrorism. In trying to know how we know
al-Qaeda, it offers us an opportunity to try to know ourselves and
our often hidden assumptions about legitimacy, violence, and
political purpose.
General
Imprint: |
Routledge
|
Country of origin: |
United Kingdom |
Series: |
Rethinking Political and International Theory |
Release date: |
September 2016 |
First published: |
2012 |
Editors: |
Andreas Behnke
|
Authors: |
Christina Hellmich
|
Dimensions: |
234 x 156mm (L x W) |
Format: |
Paperback
|
Pages: |
192 |
ISBN-13: |
978-1-138-25081-9 |
Categories: |
Books >
Social sciences >
Politics & government >
General
|
LSN: |
1-138-25081-3 |
Barcode: |
9781138250819 |
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