A case for critical terrorism studies ?

Abstract

That 'terrorism research' is mired by epistemological, methodological and political-normative problems is well established. What is usually overlooked is that, beyond the difficulties inherent in 'terrorism research', these problems are exacerbated by two further factors: the predominance of what Cox called a 'problem-solving' approach, and the dispersed nature of much of the more rigorous, 'critical' and conceptually innovative research on 'terrorism' in cognate fields that, for ideological, theoretical or practical reasons, are reluctant to engage with 'terrorism studies'. A 'critical turn' is needed to reverse both these trends, but it must be inclusive and seek to be policy relevant.