Skip to product information
1 of 1

What Is Counterterrorism For?

Regular price $13.95
Regular price $0.00 Sale price $13.95
Sold out
Terrorism will always be frontpage news – counterterrorism is often discussed as an afterthought, yet it is vitally important to understand what is done in the name of our safety. Since 9/11, there has been...
Read More
  • November 26, 2024
View Product Details

Terrorism will always be frontpage news – counterterrorism is often discussed as an afterthought, yet it is vitally important to understand what is done in the name of our safety.

Since 9/11, there has been a huge ramping up of the state’s special powers in the name of security, such as indefinite detention, the assassination of suspected terrorists, the use of extraordinary rendition, torture, and changes to due process. However, these powers are often shadowy, they are rarely rolled back, and they can be counterproductive.

This book focuses on understanding the costs of counterterrorism and asking how they can be reduced; global in scope, it looks not just at Western liberal democracies, but at numerous examples from across the world.

files/i.png Icon
Price: $13.95
Pages: 176
Publisher: Bristol University Press
Imprint: Bristol University Press
Series: What Is It For?
Publication Date: November 26, 2024
ISBN: 9781529234596
Format: Paperback
BISACs: POLITICAL SCIENCE / Terrorism, Terrorism, armed struggle, LAW / Criminal Law / General, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Human Rights, Human rights, civil rights, Law: Human rights and civil liberties, Criminal law: terrorism law
REVIEWS Icon
“Wide-ranging, perceptive, and refreshingly hopeful, Leonie Jackson documents the problems of counterterrorism today while drawing us a map for finally escaping them. A must-read.” Lee Jarvis, Loughborough University

“Counterterrorism needs to be explored, analysed and critiqued. This book does all that in an accessible manner.” Sondre Onsgaard Lindahl, Østfold University College

“A clear, concise and deeply insightful analysis of why contemporary counterterrorism has failed, and a compelling argument for a more ethical, nonviolent response to political violence. Highly recommended.” Richard Jackson, University of Otago



“A well-researched critique of today’s ‘hybrid counterterrorism’ and an evidence-based call for a non-violent approach that privileges human security and democratic norms.” Ronald Crelinsten, University of Victoria

“An insightful and to-the-point reflection on counter-terrorism and its purposes, its history, and its main problems.” Alice Martini, Universidad Complutense de Madrid



'Easy to read, global in scope, and comparative in method. Highly recommended.' CHOICE
Leonie B Jackson is a Senior Lecturer in International Relations at Northumbria University and an editor of the journal Critical Studies on Terrorism.

1. What is Counterterrorism?

2. Counterterrorism in the 21st century

3. How did we get here? A short history of counterterrorism

4. The problems of counterterrorism

5. Ways forward

6. Conclusion