By: Paul Thomas

Hardcover

Click on the Google Preview image above to read some pages of this book!

"The 7/7 London bombings shocked the UK, and subsequent plots have highlighted the Islamist terrorist threat. How should we understand such home-grown terrorism, and how successful since 2005 have policy attempts to 'prevent violent extremism' been? This is a classic monograph focusing on recent British attempts to 'prevent violent extremism', their problems and limitations, and what lessons this can offer for more effective policy approaches in future. The author's extensive research, particularly with young people in the North of England, suggests that the Prevent policy approaches and the wider CONTEST counter-terrorism strategy have been misguided and ineffective, further alienating British Muslim communities rather than supporting longer-term attempts to encourage cohesion and integration. In particular, the book examines policy approaches to the threat of Islamist extremism and far-right racism, in the context of a post-2001 shift in Britain's attitude and policy approach to multiculturalism, to distinct ethnic and faith identities and to the state's relations with ethnic communities. The book argues for new, community cohesion-based approaches that see greater trust and integration across all communities as the best defence against terrorism."

Paul Thomas writes in an accessible and persuasive manner, with arguments expertly and attractively presented. The topic itself is of utmost policy significance. This book fills a gap in a field marked by a lack of serious, research-based treatments. -- Vivien Lowndes, Professor Of Public Policy, University Of Nottingham, UK This book provides a clearly written and confidently argued account of mainly British debates over how to respond to violent extremism. It draws on some new research evidence and makes a valuable contribution to our knowledge and understanding of this topic... with much insight and a wealth of detail informed by a strong critical voice. Ian Law, Professor and Director, CERS - Centre for Ethnicity and Racism Studies, School of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Leeds, UK The book offers a useful and detailed discussion of the myriad of issues relating to this subject and succeeds in ploughing a focussed furrow through what is a potentially mammoth and controversial subject. Clear signposting and useful chapter summaries makes this a useful reference book. -- Diane Frost, Department Of Sociology, Social Policy & Criminology, University Of Liverpool, UK The book provides an informative and readable account of the development and implementation of the Prevent strategy, that serves a readership interested in state approaches to 'soft-security' well by providing a clear overview of the history of Prevent and engaging extensively with very recent changes under the present Coalition government. ... The book will be a very useful addition to the fields of state-Muslim relations, the governance of ethnic and religious diversity, counter-terrorism and politics of race, ethnicity and religion. -- Therese O'toole, Senior Lecturer In Sociology, University Of Bristol, UK

Contents Acknowledgements Preface Glossary Introduction: A new threat of violent extremism? The Policy response of Prevent The purpose of this Book The Structure of the Book Issues of Terminology 1. The Threat of Violent Extremism Introduction: 'Terrorism'? 7/7: Home-grown suicide bombers Radical Islam: the 'single narrative' A reaction to British Foreign Policy? A Foreign Hand? Ethnic Segregation, Poverty and Marginalisation? Radicalisation: Mosques, 'preachers of hate' and recruiters? Group Dynamics Conclusion: No easy answers 2. Community Cohesion: A changed policy context Introduction: The changed policy context of Community Cohesion The 2001 Riots and their aftermath The emergence of Community Cohesion Community Cohesion in practice Refusing Brutishness? Problematic Muslim Identity? A Minority of lslamist extremists 3.Preventing Violent Extremism Introduction: States responding to terror A lethargic response? Pre 7/7 developments 'Preventing Extremism Together' 'Preventing Violent Extremism' Preventing Violent Extremism in practice Prevent under Pressure Coalition Government: A new approach? The Revised Prevent Strategy Conclusion: Prevent - flawed and friendless? 4. British Muslims: A Suspect Community? Introduction: Muslims under the spotlight A monocultural contradiction to Community Cohesion? Clumsy 'Social Engineering' Learning from the experience of anti-racist education Disinterest in far-right extremism Conclusion: Some Communities are suspect? 5. Confusion on the Ground: Prevent in operation Introduction: Orders from above Local Authorities and Prevent Local Variations Not all bad news? Professionals in the spotlight? Summing up: Local Authorities in a bind? Extremists on Campus? Prisons and Young Offenders Conclusion: Local Complexity 6. Spooks? Introduction: Education or Surveillance? CONTEST and the growth of the security state RICU: Massaging the message? 'Spooked': Allegations and responses Channel: A way forward? Conclusion: Perception is everything?

ISBN: 9781849665254
ISBN-10: 1849665257
Audience: Professional
Format: Hardcover
Language: English
Number Of Pages: 192
Published: 13th September 2012
Dimensions (cm): 23.4 x 15.6  x 2.1
Weight (kg): 0.386