Social Networks, Terrorism and Counter-terrorism ─ Radical and Connected

This book examines two key themes in terrorism studies, the radicalization process and counter-terrorism policies, through the lens of social networks.

Despite multiple calls to arms to approach terrorism through the lens of network methods, social networks are still under-researched in terrorism studies. This book aims to show that networks should be at the forefront when analysing terrorists, but also when assessing the responses to their actions. There are four ways in which this book makes a unique contribution to the field. First, it puts social network analysis at the forefront – a perspective, and set of methods often identified as crucial to future breakthroughs in the field. Second, many of the contributions tackle the role of the Internet in the process of radicalization, of the most currently debated topic in the field today. These are relatively new themes for terrorism studies, meaning that few of the existing books on the market tackle them as much as they are in this edited collection. Third, the book provides a healthy mix of review essays, critical essays, and original empirical studies. Finally, the balanced approach is also found in the topics covered by the authors, as well as their academic disciplines, which include computing science, geography, history, engineering, and criminology as well as political science.

As argued here in Chapter 1 and the concluding chapter, many of the true advances in the field depend on the successful collaboration of multi-disciplinary teams, each with a different set of methodological and conceptual tools. For a long time only taught in political science or international relations departments, terrorism is now regularly taught in sociology, criminology, and psychology departments. This book reflects this newfound diversity and is a true product of its time.

This book will be of much interest to students of terrorism studies, social networks, security studies, sociology, criminology and IR in general.