Terrorism, Peace and Conflict Studies ─ Investigating the Crossroad

This book opens up the discussion of the interrelation between terrorism studies, and peace and conflict studies. Even though it is often accepted that terrorism is a form of political violence, it is also quite frequent that research on the topic is dismissed when it is approached with conflict analysis frames. More importantly, policy approaches continue to inhibit, obstruct and reject frameworks that are concerned with the transformation and resolution of terrorist conflicts – partly because they see the state as the ultimate referent object to be secured. At the same time, peace and conflict studies seem to be excessively focused on problem-solving approaches, overemphasising the role of parity during negotiations and misdiagnosing the distribution of power both within conflicts as well as within conflict management, resolution and/or transformation approaches. By examining the instances and circumstances in which both these fields can benefit from each other, this book enhances our understanding of this crucial area.

This book was published as a special issue of Critical Studies on Terrorism.

Ioannis Tellidis is Assistant Professor at the College of International Studies at Kyung Hee University, South Korea. His research focuses on terrorism and ethnopolitical violence, critical peacebuilding and new social media, and emerging actors in the international system.

Harmonie Toros is Lecturer at the School of Politics and International Relations, University of Kent, UK. Her research focuses on conflict transformation approaches to terrorist conflicts in particular in the southern Philippine region of Mindanao and in Northern Ireland. She is currently investigating experiential approaches to conflicts and violence and how such knowledge can inform local and external interventions.