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Terrorism and War: Interrogating Discourses of Risk and Security

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Abstract

This chapter considers two highly contested concepts within criminology which have deep resonances for the study of organized violence: risk and security. These concepts are considered through an analysis of their mobilization and deployment in relation to conflicts of war and terrorism. Focusing on the diffuse processes and practices which constitute the ‘war on terror’ post 9/11, the connections between discourse, representation and ideology are developed. Discrete examples are provided to demonstrate how the social construction of security threats by the state, media and intelligence services ideationally sanctioned the use of exceptional forms of military and legal intervention, based around the principle of pre-emption as a reasonable response to high consequence risks. In order to indicate theoretical ways into understanding the ramifications of these interventions for criminology, a selection of conceptual tools are suggested.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK

    Gabe Mythen

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  1. Gabe Mythen
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology, University of Liverpool, UK, LIVERPOOL, United Kingdom

    Ross McGarry

  2. Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology, University of Liverpool, UK, Liverpool, United Kingdom

    Sandra Walklate

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Mythen, G. (2016). Terrorism and War: Interrogating Discourses of Risk and Security. In: McGarry, R., Walklate, S. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Criminology and War. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-43170-7_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-43170-7_3

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-137-43169-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-137-43170-7

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