Leaderless global jihadism : the paradox of discriminate violence

Ramsay, Gilbert and Marsden, Sarah (2015) Leaderless global jihadism : the paradox of discriminate violence. Journal of Strategic Studies, 38 (5). pp. 579-601. ISSN 0140-2390

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Abstract

Jihadist violence is typically associated with being particularly indiscriminate. Often, as in variations of the ‘new terrorism’ thesis, this characteristic is proposed to correspond in some way to its other attributes such as its globalised, decentralised and ‘postmodern’ religious nature. Recent work appears to give more substance to such claims, by claiming to show a relationship between indiscriminate violence and decentralised group organisation. However, in this paper we show, based on an analysis of jihadist targeting in Western Europe and America from 2001 to 2013, that targeting choices by jihadists unconnected to organised militant groups have in fact been consistently more, rather than less discriminate in their targeting choices than their better-integrated peers. Drawing on this finding, as well as a broader reading of jihadist targeting discourses, we argue for a more complex understanding of the relationship between radicalisation, extremist ideology, decentralisation, and targeting choice.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Journal of Strategic Studies
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/3300/3320
Subjects:
?? global jihadismlone actorstargetingtargeting discoursejihadi-salafismpolitical science and international relationssociology and political science ??
ID Code:
75924
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
21 Oct 2015 05:02
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
13 Sep 2024 14:30