Terrorism in Western Europe. Explaining the trends since 1950

Abstract:
International terrorism knows no boundaries, whether geographical or political, but terrorism is not always international. Despite the advanced state of Western European democracies and the relatively peaceful atmosphere prevailing, significant levels of terrorism have been produced internally. This book analyses the trends in internal terrorism in Western Europe since 1995 and seeks explanations.

The book is organised over six chapters. Chapter one introduces a definition of terrorism and sets it in context to assist the investigation of patterns of terrorism and variations between countries. Chapter two aims to develop a theoretical perspective which can explain the variations in terrorism in modern European states and considers opinions on the sources and roots of terrorism. Chapter three moves from the theory to the practical, examining the strengths and weaknesses of the data system used in this investigation - TWEED (Terrorism in Western Europe: Event Data).

Chapters four to six concentrate on the patterns of terrorism in Western Europe in the post-Second World War period. Chapter four looks at political terrorism in Western Europe as a region and considers which type is dominant - internal (domestic) or international - and goes on to consider the patterns of domestic terrorism both as to its intensity of violence and the ideological tendencies. Chapter five examines possible systematic relationships between variations in terrorism in the West European countries. Detailed analysis of the patterns of terrorism seen in each of the eighteen countries under scrutiny is given in chapter six.

The work will interest scholars, students, policy makers and researchers engaged in the fields of European Studies, comparative politics, social sciences and the development of the terrorist threat in Europe.

Contents:
1. Defining Terrorism: A Communications Perspective
2. Explaining Terrorism: Focusing on Legitimacy
3. The Event Data Approach
4. A Regional Empirical Overview
5. Patterns of Terrorism in West European Countries
6. Terrorism and the West European Political Systems