How Globalization Spurs Terrorism: The Lopsided Benefits of "One World" and Why That Fuels Violence

by Fathali M. Moghaddam

From the publisher:
This book explores modern Islamic terrorism in the context of globalization and cultural evolution. 21st century terrorism is different and new, first because it relies heavily on electronic communication systems and other aspects of modern technologies, and second, because it is in large part a product of fractured globalization, with its associated threats to the collective identity of Muslims.

Part one of this work contrasts globalization as an ideal with globalization as it is actually taking place, with its enormous contradictions and threats. Moghaddam, a longtime and highly respected terrorism and conflict researcher, argues that globalization is resulting in serious threats to the basic psychological needs of some, particularly in connection with collective identity.

Part two explores how globalization has brought sudden contact between different groups with no previous history of large-scale contact, resulting in a rapid decline in diversity. Terrorism is one of the dysfunctional defense mechanisms of people in such conditions, facing external threats.

Part three describes long-term solutions, focusing particularly on the role of women and the nature of the family in traditional Islamic societies. Moghaddam shows us why globalization is resulting in what he calls "catastrophic evolution," the rapid decline and disappearance of minority cultures and languages, and why that brings a clash of ideologies and the rise of extremism. There are also other dangerous trends, and those call for inspired solutions, springing from an understanding that traditional conflict-resolution, evolved in the shadow of the Cold War, is no longer effective and needs to change.

Creating Young Martyrs: Conditions That Make Dying in a Terrorist Attack Seem Like a Good Idea

by Alice LoCicero and Samuel J Sinclair

From the publisher:
The authors explain how and why we must understand the conditions that spur youths to become martyrs by making them think suicide bombings and other acts of self-destructive terrorism are a "good" way to die. LoCicero and Sinclair present cutting-edge research and theory about the political, social, and living conditions that raise the risk of children deciding to join organizations that use terrorist tactics, and, having joined, to volunteer for missions in which they intentionally die while causing death and destruction, in order to make an impact. Equally important, LoCicero and Sinclair offer concrete suggestions about how ordinary Americans can help reduce and prevent terrorism around the globe.

"What could possibly lead young people, in their teens or even younger, to knowingly take their own lives in order to kill others? LoCicero and Sinclair provide thoughtful, original, and provocative answers to this question. Unlike other recent discussions of the motives that drive terrorist violence, the authors take a developmental and cultural perspective, focusing on the evolving mind of the young person who lives in a world in which his or her people are dominated by powerful others and basic human rights and opportunities are scarce. Based on the best modern and classic scholarship and their own in-depth interviews with young and older persons in war-torn regions, they provide a powerful analysis that is sure to add to our understanding of one of the most vexing problems facing today's world." - Tom Pyszczynski, Ph.D, Professor of Psychology, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

Top Ten Global Justice Law Review Articles 2007

by Amos N Guiora

From the publisher:
Top Ten Global Justice Law Review Articles 2007 is a thorough and accessible review of the most salient, the most controversial, and the most illuminating essays on security law in the previous calendar year. In this edition, Professor Amos Guiora presents the ten most vital and pertinent law review articles from 2007 written by both scholars who have already gained international prominence as experts in security law as well as emerging voices in the security-law debate. These articles deal with issues of terrorism, security law, and the preservation of civil liberties in the post-9/11 world. The chosen selections derive not just from the high quality and expertise of the articles' authors, but equally from the wide diversity of legal issues addressed by those authors. Guiora combines the expertise of scholars from such accredited institutions as Harvard, Stanford, the U.S Military Academy and the U.S. Department of Defense to provide a valuable resource for scholars and experts researching this important subject area.
This annual review provides researchers with more than just an authoritative discussion on the most prominent security debates of the day; it also educates researchers on new issues that have received far too little attention in the press and in academia. These expert scholars and leaders tackle and give voice to these issues that range from cyberterror to detention of suspected terrorists to France's tightening of its civil liberties policy to new restrictions on religious philanthropy and beyond. Together, the vast knowledge and independent viewpoints represented by these ten authors make this volume, of what will be an annual review within the Terrorism, 2nd Series, a valuable resource for individuals new to the realm of security law and for advanced researchers with a sophisticated understanding of the field. Top Ten Global Justice Law Review Articles 2007 serves as a one-stop guidebook on how both the U.S. and the world generally are currently waging the war on terror.

Amos N. Guiora is a professor of law at The S. J. Quinney College of Law, University of Utah where he teaches Criminal Law, Global Perspectives on Counter-terrorism, Religion and Terrorism and National Security Law. In addition, Guiora incorporates innovative scenario-based instruction to address national and international security issues. At the S.J. Quinney College of Law, Guiora, in collaboration with other leading experts at that school, helps lead the school's efforts to provide cutting-edge research, innovative training, and public service initiatives in the prevention and mitigation of global conflict. Professor Guiora has also served in the Judge Advocate General's Corps of the Israel Defense Forces as a Lieutenant Colonel. His senior command postings in the IDF were Commandant of the IDF School of Military Law, Judge Advocate of the Navy and Home Front Command, and Legal Advisor to the IDF's Gaza Strip operations. He brings immense practical experience in combating terrorism to his work on Top Ten Global Justice Law Review Articles.