Dr. Flannery publishes book on understanding terrorism

Dr. Frances Flannery's newest book, Understanding Apocalyptic Terrorism, has been published by Routledge Press.  This book explores a cross-cultural worldview called ‘radical apocalypticism’ that underlies the majority of terrorist movements in the twenty-first century, although it manifests differently in each specific cultural context. Certainly, not all apocalypticism is violent. However, in its extreme forms radical apocalypticism gives rise to terrorists as varied as members of Al Qaeda, Anders Behring Breivik, or Timothy McVeigh. In its secular variations, it also motivates ideological terrorists, such as the eco-terrorists Earth Liberation Front or The Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski.

Understanding Apocalyptic Terrorism offers an original paradigm for distinguishing between peaceful and violent or radical forms of apocalypticism to clarify anew the self-identities, motivations, and goals of a broad swath of terrorists. Implementing an interdisciplinary approach drawn from the academic study of religion, the book analyzes the history, major transformations, and characteristics of the apocalyptic thought system in several cultural varieties. This book discusses the mechanisms of radicalization and dynamics of perceived oppression and violence that can lead to radical apocalypticism. The author embraces an approach that is suspicious of conventional counter-terrorism policies that fail to create systemic positive change in social systems, arguing that ultimately these efforts will prove ineffective or disastrous. Rather, Understanding Apocalyptic Terrorism suggests a comprehensive “cultural” method for combating terrorism by addressing the appeal of radical apocalyptic terrorist ideology itself and by creating systemic change to create and sustain peace in its many dimensions for peoples across the globe: well being that is physical, psychological, material, cultural, and ecological.

Only a sustainable peace will change the conditions that eventually rob the radical apocalyptic worldview of its appeal and explanatory power, which has proven to be extremely "sticky" throughout the millennia. Finally, the author proposes a shift in funding priorities and approach driven by this analysis.

More information can be found here: https://www.routledge.com/products/9781138779549

Congratulations Dr. Flannery!