Description
Does Counter-Terrorism Work? offers an historically-grounded, systematic, and expert interrogation of the effectiveness of state responses to terrorist violence from one of the world's leading experts on terrorism. State responses to terrorism have shaped politics and society globally. But how far, and in what precise ways, has counter-terrorism actually succeeded? Based on the author's experience of studying terrorism and counter-terrorism for over three decades, Does Counter-Terrorism Work? offers an historically-grounded, systematic, and expert interrogation of the effectiveness of state responses to terrorist violence. Previous analyses have too often tended to be polarized, simplistic, and short-termist; they have also lacked a comprehensive framework against which properly to assess the (in)efficacy of counter-terrorist efforts over time. Richard English's pioneering book carefully defines what effective counter-terrorism would involve, and then tests that layered framework through cross-case, balanced, historically-focused comparison of important counter-terrorist campaigns. Drawing on a vast range of source material, Does Counter-Terrorism Work? assesses in detail the strategic, tactical, and personal or political achievements and failures evident this blood-stained field of work. The book is intended to stimulate debate and reflection among scholars, students, practitioners, and the wider public. Every one of us is daily affected by the choices made in counter-terrorist politics and policy. This deeply original book helps us to understand how society and politics have been shaped by such decisions in the past, and prepares us to respond more effectively in the future to one of the world's most important challenges.
About the Author
Richard English is Director of the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security, and Justice at Queen's University Belfast. His books include the award-winning studies Armed Struggle: The History of the IRA (2003) and Irish Freedom: The History of Nationalism in Ireland (2006). His most recent books are Does Terrorism Work? A History (2016), The Oxford Handbook of Terrorism (co-edited, 2019), and The Cambridge History of Terrorism (edited, 2021). He is a Fellow of the British Academy, a Member of the Royal Irish Academy, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, an Honorary Fellow of Keble College Oxford, a Faculty Affiliate at the University of Chicago, and an Honorary Professor at the University of St Andrews. In 2018 he was awarded a CBE for services to the understanding of modern-day terrorism and political history. In 2019 he was awarded the Royal Irish Academy's Gold Medal in the Social Sciences.
Reviews
Judicious and thoughtful...fair and balanced, critical without being polemical,...relevant and timely. Part of its argument is that history is important, and I am in complete agreement. * Martha Crenshaw, Senior Fellow Emerita, Stanford University Professor Emerita, Wesleyan University *
This is a judicious and precisely conceptualised approach to a subject as important and elusive as terrorism itself, but seldom examined so carefully. Policymakers and public alike need to understand why some methods are effective and others are the opposite. This book should become the leading study of this dangerously neglected topic. * Charles Townshend, FBA, author of Terrorism: A Very Short Introduction *
A timely and thorough reassessment of the modern 'war on terror'. * History of War *
A thoughtful and authoritative analysis ... Richard English has dedicated decades to the analysis of terrorism and to governments' efforts to overcome it. Given that the choices made in counter-terrorism policy impact directly upon each of us every day, it is a vitally important area of study. * Ian Cobain, The Observer *
A masterful, concise analysis of counter-terrorism by comparing the post-9/11 War on Terror, the modern Northern Ireland Troubles and Israeli practice towards Palestine. ... Does Counter-Terrorism Work? is an acute guide for all who want to understand why the misery inherent in terrorism often cannot be expunged as quickly as we should like. * Hew Bennett, Irish Times *
Richard English addresses a socio-politically relevant topic in his book, one that has not been tackled with such directness and clarity before. He guides readers through his thoughts in understandable language, critically evaluating his own theses with numerous examples. Therefore, the work is worth reading not only for its scholarly interest but also for its numerous excursions into the tactical uncertainties and political decision-making involved in counterterrorism efforts. * Anton Hahn, Portal fur Politikwissenschaft *
The definitive text on political violence and how states should respond. * Neil Mackay, The Herald *
Exceptionally well-researched...a valuable guide to any government official or lawmaker who must design or oversee counter-terrorism policy... English makes several observations about counter-terrorism that policymakers should consider when they generate and try to oversee the work of those charged with carrying out those policies * Bernard Hudson, Cipher Brief *
Concise [and] compelling * Jacob Stieb, H-DIPLO *
Book Information
ISBN 9780192843340
Author Richard English
Format Hardback
Page Count 272
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 528g
Dimensions(mm) 241mm * 163mm * 20mm
About the Author
Richard English is Director of the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security, and Justice at Queen's University Belfast. His books include the award-winning studies Armed Struggle: The History of the IRA (2003) and Irish Freedom: The History of Nationalism in Ireland (2006). His most recent books are Does Terrorism Work? A History (2016), The Oxford Handbook of Terrorism (co-edited, 2019), and The Cambridge History of Terrorism (edited, 2021). He is a Fellow of the British Academy, a Member of the Royal Irish Academy, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, an Honorary Fellow of Keble College Oxford, a Faculty Affiliate at the University of Chicago, and an Honorary Professor at the University of St Andrews. In 2018 he was awarded a CBE for services to the understanding of modern-day terrorism and political history. In 2019 he was awarded the Royal Irish Academy's Gold Medal in the Social Sciences.
Reviews
Judicious and thoughtful...fair and balanced, critical without being polemical,...relevant and timely. Part of its argument is that history is important, and I am in complete agreement. * Martha Crenshaw, Senior Fellow Emerita, Stanford University Professor Emerita, Wesleyan University *
This is a judicious and precisely conceptualised approach to a subject as important and elusive as terrorism itself, but seldom examined so carefully. Policymakers and public alike need to understand why some methods are effective and others are the opposite. This book should become the leading study of this dangerously neglected topic. * Charles Townshend, FBA, author of Terrorism: A Very Short Introduction *
A timely and thorough reassessment of the modern 'war on terror'. * History of War *
A thoughtful and authoritative analysis ... Richard English has dedicated decades to the analysis of terrorism and to governments' efforts to overcome it. Given that the choices made in counter-terrorism policy impact directly upon each of us every day, it is a vitally important area of study. * Ian Cobain, The Observer *
A masterful, concise analysis of counter-terrorism by comparing the post-9/11 War on Terror, the modern Northern Ireland Troubles and Israeli practice towards Palestine. ... Does Counter-Terrorism Work? is an acute guide for all who want to understand why the misery inherent in terrorism often cannot be expunged as quickly as we should like. * Hew Bennett, Irish Times *
Richard English addresses a socio-politically relevant topic in his book, one that has not been tackled with such directness and clarity before. He guides readers through his thoughts in understandable language, critically evaluating his own theses with numerous examples. Therefore, the work is worth reading not only for its scholarly interest but also for its numerous excursions into the tactical uncertainties and political decision-making involved in counterterrorism efforts. * Anton Hahn, Portal fur Politikwissenschaft *
The definitive text on political violence and how states should respond. * Neil Mackay, The Herald *
Exceptionally well-researched...a valuable guide to any government official or lawmaker who must design or oversee counter-terrorism policy... English makes several observations about counter-terrorism that policymakers should consider when they generate and try to oversee the work of those charged with carrying out those policies * Bernard Hudson, Cipher Brief *
Concise [and] compelling * Jacob Stieb, H-DIPLO *
Book Information
ISBN 9780192843340
Author Richard English
Format Hardback
Page Count 272
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 528g
Dimensions(mm) 241mm * 163mm * 20mm
