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Overview"From the chilling threats of the ""ISIS vampire"" to the view of al-Qaeda as the ""Frankenstein the CIA created,"" terrorism seems to be inextricably bound with monstrosity. But why do the media and government officials often portray terrorists as monsters? And perhaps more puzzling, why do terrorists sometimes want to be perceived as such? This book, the first of its kind, examines the use of archetypal metaphors of monstrosity in relation to terrorism, from the gorgons of Robespierre's ""reign of terror"" to the dragons and lycanthropes of anarchism, the beasts and blood-licking demons of ethnonational terrorism, and the hydras and Frankenstein's monsters of Islamic jihadism. Marco Pinfari argues that politicians frame terrorists as unmanageable monsters not only in an effort at cultural ""othering"" and dehumanization, but also to secure popular backing for rule-breaking behavior in counter-terrorism. The book also explores the way that terrorists themselves impersonate monsters, showing that several groups have pursued such a tactic throughout the history of terrorism. It contributes to a number of ongoing public debates by highlighting how, even when actors like the Islamic State present themselves as mad and irrational, their tactics remain in essence rational. Pinfari also provides an original historical outlook on the roots of monster metaphors and discusses several types of terrorism, including state terrorism, left-wing terrorism, anarchism, ethnonationalist terrorism, and white supremacist groups. In unpacking the functions played by monster metaphors and by their impersonation, Terrorists as Monsters helps the reader understand the political processes that hide behind the fangs." Full Product DetailsAuthor: Marco Pinfari (Assistant Profesor of International Relations, Assistant Profesor of International Relations, American University in Cairo)Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc Imprint: Oxford University Press Inc Dimensions: Width: 24.40cm , Height: 2.10cm , Length: 16.20cm Weight: 0.474kg ISBN: 9780190927875ISBN 10: 0190927879 Pages: 232 Publication Date: 15 January 2020 Audience: Professional and scholarly , Professional & Vocational Format: Hardback Publisher's Status: Active Availability: To order Stock availability from the supplier is unknown. We will order it for you and ship this item to you once it is received by us. Table of Contents"Acknowledgments List of illustrations 1. Introduction: Terrorism, monsters and archetypal metaphors Part 1: Terrorists seen as monsters 2. The Abominables: To the roots of ""terrorist"" monsters 3. Contemporary logomachies Part 2: Terrorists acting as monsters 4. Revolutionary monstrosity 5. Monsters in the ""jihadi revolutionary atmosphere"" Part 3: Monstrous reflections 6. The monstrous enemy in the ""terrorist"" mind 7. The abyss of counter-terrorism Conclusion Notes References Index"ReviewsHighly recommended. -- K.M. Zaarour, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, CHOICE Highly recommended. -- K.M. Zaarour, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, CHOICE Author InformationMarco Pinfari is Assistant Professor of International Relations at the American University in Cairo (AUC). His research focuses on regional security, terrorism, and domestic conflict, with a regional specialization on the Middle East and North Africa. He has published widely in journals such as the Journal of Conflict Resolution, Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, and Terrorism and Political Violence. Tab Content 6Author Website:Countries AvailableAll regions |