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Violence, Power and Meaning: The Moral Logic of Terrorism

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  • Nicolas Johnston
  • Srinjoy Bose

Abstract

Dominant orthodoxies within the study of terrorism have developed and promoted a strategic understanding of terrorism which has, in effect, reinforced the very conflict it seeks to explain. In response, this article develops the challenge of critical terrorism studies to propose a new strategic approach to terrorism. It posits that, while unable to achieve a Clausewitzian victory over the state per se, terrorism is able to politically paralyse the state's overwhelming power by shifting the moral horizons of that state's constituency. We explore two mutually reinforcing mechanisms by which terrorism achieves this objective and explore a number of strategic policy implications of each. This new approach is needed as current approaches misrepresent the challenge the global community currently faces, creating a self‐perpetuating loop of conflict and grievance which promises no end to terrorist violence.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicolas Johnston & Srinjoy Bose, 2020. "Violence, Power and Meaning: The Moral Logic of Terrorism," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 11(3), pages 315-325, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:glopol:v:11:y:2020:i:3:p:315-325
    DOI: 10.1111/1758-5899.12784
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andrew J. Gawthorpe, 2017. "All Counterinsurgency is Local: Counterinsurgency and Rebel Legitimacy," Small Wars and Insurgencies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(4-5), pages 839-852, September.
    2. Max Abrahms, 2011. "Does Terrorism Really Work? Evolution in the Conventional Wisdom since 9/11," Defence and Peace Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(6), pages 583-594, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Chau-kiu Cheung, 2023. "Radicalism and Life Meaningfulness Among Hong Kong Youth," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 18(2), pages 997-1013, April.

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