Britain and Terrorism: A Sociological InvestigationChallenging the standard paradigm of terrorism research through the use of Norbert Elias’s figurational sociology, Michael Dunning explores the development of terrorism in Britain over the past two centuries, focusing on long-term processes and shifting power dynamics. In so doing, he demonstrates that terrorism as a concept and designation is entwined with its antithesis, civilization. A range of process sociological concepts are deployed to tease out the sociogenesis of terrorism as part of Britain’s relationships with France, Ireland, Germany, the Soviet Union, the industrial working classes, its colonies, and, most recently, jihadism. In keeping with the figurational tradition, Dunning examines the relationships between broad, macro-level processes and processes at the level of individual psyches, showing that terrorism is not merely a ‘thing’ done to a group, but part of a complex web of interdependent relations. |
Contents
| 1 | |
| 10 | |
Terrorism Violence and Civilisation | 77 |
The Sociogenesis of Terrorism as Part of BritishIrish Relations During the Nineteenth Century | 109 |
Functional Democratisation Revolutions and Rebellion in the Nineteenth Century | 127 |
Rebellion in Britain Trades Unions Reformers and Terrorism | 147 |
Global Wars and Terrorism | 167 |
Terrorism Socialism and the Soviet Union | 187 |
Terrorism and the End of Empire | 204 |
Terrorism and the Faultlines in the British Monopoly of Violence | 229 |
Britain and SalafiJihadist Terrorism | 257 |
Conclusion Towards a Sociogenetic Theory of Terrorism | 293 |
References | 306 |
Index | 323 |
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according Accordingly acts apparent approaches associated attacks balances of power barbaric became become Britain British central changes chapter civilisation claimed classes codes Collected colonial communism complex concept considered context contributed course democratisation designated designated as terrorists designations of terrorism discussed dominant Dublin Dunning dynamics Elias elites emergent Empire English established Europe European example explore fear figurations force France French Revolution functional German global greater groups habitus human idea ideals identity important increase individuals integration inter-state interdependent involved Ireland Irish kind later London means middle movements nineteenth century outsider particular period played political position potential problem processes referred regarded relations relationships relatively reported revolutionary rising strata Salafi-jihadists seeking shift social societies sociogenesis Soviet Union status suggested tended terrorism terrorists threat tion twentieth century UCD Press understanding United Kingdom violence Western