Terror in Our Time

Written by two leading scholars, this book is an accessible overview of the global political consequences of the 9/11 terror attacks.

The War on Terror has defined the first decade of this century. It has been marked by the deaths of thousands of people, political turmoil, massive destruction, and intense fear. Regardless of the name it goes under, the long war on terror will continue to affect lives across the world. Its catalyst, 9/11, did not have to happen, nor did the character of the responses. This book offers a set of novel interpretations of how we got here, where we are, and where we should be heading. It is organised around twelve penetrating and readable essays, full of novel interpretations and succinct summaries of complex ideas and events. In their examination of those aspects of global order touched by terror, the authors argue that the dangers of international terrorism are not overblown. Future 9/11s are possible: so is a more just and law-governed world. Terrorism cannot be disinvented, but with more intelligent policies than have been on show these past ten years, it can be overcome and made politically anachronistic.

This book will be essential reading for all students of terrorism studies, international security, war and conflict studies and IR in general, as well as of much interest to well-informed lay readers.

Ken Booth is Senior Research Associate in the Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University, where he was previously EH Carr Professor and Head of Department. He is a Fellow of the British Academy and Editor of the journal International Relations. Among his many books are Theory of World Security (2007) and the edited volume Realism and World Politics (Routledge 2011).

Tim Dunne is Professor of International Relations in the School of Political Science and International Studies, University of Queensland, where he is also Research Director of the Asia-Pacific Centre for the Responsibility to Protect. He has written and edited several books, including Worlds in Collision with Ken Booth (2002). He is currently an Editor of the European Journal of International Relations.