Constructing the terrorist threat: the merging of the discourses of terrorism, radicalization and extremism in the UK and its consequences

Conference paper


Richards, A. 2015. Constructing the terrorist threat: the merging of the discourses of terrorism, radicalization and extremism in the UK and its consequences. Constructions of Terrorism Conference. Orfalea Center for Global & International Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA 03 - 04 Dec 2015
AuthorsRichards, A.
TypeConference paper
Abstract

This paper argues that the UK has recently seen the merging of the discourses of terrorism,
radicalization, and extremism, evident in the Prevent concern with extremist but non-violent
ideology that is said to be ‘conducive’ to terrorism. This convergence has blurred the
important distinction between extremism of thought and extremism of method when
countering terrorism. One of the consequences of the characterisation or ‘construction’ of the
terrorist threat as including non-violent but extremist ideology is that those who hold such
beliefs, but who are non-violent, are excluded as potential partners and dissuaders against
what counter-terrorism should really be concerned with: preventing acts of terrorism. Hence
one can have the paradoxical situation of those who might adamantly urge peaceful methods
but who are nevertheless seen as part of the ‘terrorist problem’ – an unhelpful counterterrorism
conundrum that fails to draw the distinction between extremism of thought and
extremism of method. The concern is that contemporary counter-terrorism in the UK has
itself become increasingly ideological (or counter-ideological).

Year2015
ConferenceConstructions of Terrorism Conference
Publication process dates
Deposited17 Nov 2017
Completed03 Dec 2015
Web address (URL)http://www.orfaleacenter.ucsb.edu/sites/secure.lsit.ucsb.edu.gisp.d7_orfalea-2/files/sitefiles/other/Richards_0.pdf
Permalink -

https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/853v0

  • 201
    total views
  • 0
    total downloads
  • 0
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

What is extremism and radicalisation?
Richards, A. 2015. What is extremism and radicalisation? Panel Discussion: Examining the Extreme: Radicalisation among Muslim Youth – Mediums and Tools. Dialogue Society, London, UK 03 Jun 2015
The uses and abuses of 'terrorism' and the search for analytical utility
Richards, A. 2015. The uses and abuses of 'terrorism' and the search for analytical utility. British International Studies Association 40th Annual Conference. London, UK 17 - 19 Jun 2015
Keynote address
Richards, A. 2015. Keynote address. Tackling Extremism: Effective Intervention and Re-engagement. London, UK 19 Aug 2015
Research Workshop on 'Conceptualizing Terrorism'
Richards, A. 2015. Research Workshop on 'Conceptualizing Terrorism'. Conceptualizing Terrorism. Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence, University of St. Andrews 15 Oct 2015
Countering Terrorism and Extremism
Richards, A. 2015. Countering Terrorism and Extremism. National Security Summit. 19 Oct 2015
International Cooperation Against Terrorism
Richards, A. 2016. International Cooperation Against Terrorism. London Annual Forum of the Arab League Centre for Studies. Amman, Jordan 17 May 2016
Prevent and the Shifting Parameters of Counter-Terrorism
Richards, A. 2016. Prevent and the Shifting Parameters of Counter-Terrorism. Seminar on Countering Violent Extremism while Protecting Human Rights: Reflections on the UK Government’s Prevent Strategy. University of East London 16 Nov 2016
Towards an Understanding of Terrorism and the Olympics
Richards, A., Fussey, Pete and Silke, A. 2010. Towards an Understanding of Terrorism and the Olympics. in: Richards, Anthony, Fussey, Pete and Silke, Andrew (ed.) Terrorism and the Olympics London Routledge.
Emergency Response, Intelligence and Causes: The Case of the London Suicide Bombings
Richards, A. 2007. Emergency Response, Intelligence and Causes: The Case of the London Suicide Bombings. in: Suicide as a Weapon London IOS Press.
Terrorist Groups and Their Political Fronts
Richards, A. 2008. Terrorist Groups and Their Political Fronts. in: Dingley, James (ed.) Combating Terrorism in Northern Ireland London Routledge.
Critical Reflections on Securing the Olympics: Conclusions and Ways Forward
Richards, A., Fussey, Pete and Silke, A. 2010. Critical Reflections on Securing the Olympics: Conclusions and Ways Forward. in: Richards, Anthony, Fussey, Pete and Silke, Andrew (ed.) Terrorism and the Olympics London Routledge.
Terrorism and Public Information
Richards, A. 2007. Terrorism and Public Information. in: Wilkinson, Paul (ed.) Homeland Security in the UK: Future Preparedness for Terrorist Attack since 9/11 London Routledge.
The Emergency Response: Progress and Problems
Richards, A. 2007. The Emergency Response: Progress and Problems. in: Wilkinson, Paul (ed.) Homeland Security in the UK: Future Preparedness for Terrorist Attack since 9/11 London Routledge.
The Domestic Threat: The Cases of Northern Ireland and Animal Rights Extremism
Richards, A. 2007. The Domestic Threat: The Cases of Northern Ireland and Animal Rights Extremism. in: Wilkinson, Paul (ed.) Homeland Security in the UK: Future Preparedness for Terrorist Attack since 9/11 London Routledge.
Terrorist Groups and Political Fronts: The IRA, Sinn Fein, the Peace Process and Democracy
Richards, A. 2001. Terrorist Groups and Political Fronts: The IRA, Sinn Fein, the Peace Process and Democracy. Terrorism and Political Violence. 13 (4), pp. 72-89. https://doi.org/10.1080/09546550109609700
Researching and understanding terrorism: a role for criminology?
Fussey, Pete and Richards, A. 2008. Researching and understanding terrorism: a role for criminology? Criminal Justice Matters. 73 (1), pp. 37-39. https://doi.org/10.1080/09627250802277041
False dawns or new horizons? Further issues and challenges for Critical Terrorism Studies
Michel, Torsten and Richards, A. 2009. False dawns or new horizons? Further issues and challenges for Critical Terrorism Studies. Critical Studies on Terrorism. 2 (3), pp. 399-413. https://doi.org/10.1080/17539150903306097
Countering the psychological impact of terrorism: challenges for UK homeland security
Richards, A. 2010. Countering the psychological impact of terrorism: challenges for UK homeland security. in: Silke, Andrew (ed.) The Psychology of Counter-Terrorism London Routledge.
Chapter 5: Three Preliminary Assumptions When Approaching the Conceptualisation of Terrorism
Richards, A. 2015. Chapter 5: Three Preliminary Assumptions When Approaching the Conceptualisation of Terrorism. in: Conceptualizing Terrorism UK Oxford University Press.
Terrorism, The Olympics and Sports: Recent Events and Concerns for the Future
Richards, A. 2012. Terrorism, The Olympics and Sports: Recent Events and Concerns for the Future. in: Richards, Anthony, Fussey, Pete and Silke, Andrew (ed.) Terrorism and the Olympics: Major Event Security and Lessons for the Future Routledge. pp. 15-31
The problem with ‘radicalization’: the remit of ‘Prevent’ and the need to refocus on terrorism in the UK
Richards, A. 2011. The problem with ‘radicalization’: the remit of ‘Prevent’ and the need to refocus on terrorism in the UK. International Affairs. 87 (1), pp. 143-152.
Conceptualizing Terrorism
Richards, A. 2013. Conceptualizing Terrorism. Studies in Conflict and Terrorism. 37 (3), pp. 213-236.
From terrorism to ‘radicalization’ to ‘extremism’: counterterrorism imperative or loss of focus?
Richards, A. 2015. From terrorism to ‘radicalization’ to ‘extremism’: counterterrorism imperative or loss of focus? International Affairs. 91 (2), pp. 371-380.
Characterising the UK Terrorist Threat: The Problem with Non-Violent Ideology as a Focus for Counter-Terrorism and Terrorism as the product of ‘Vulnerability’
Richards, A. 2012. Characterising the UK Terrorist Threat: The Problem with Non-Violent Ideology as a Focus for Counter-Terrorism and Terrorism as the product of ‘Vulnerability’. Journal of Terrorism Research. 3 (1).