Author and University of Kent sociologist Furedi (Culture of Fear Revisited
) stakes out a bold position in this exploration of the war on terror—in particular, its “self-fulfilling prophecy†effect, inspiring fear and passivity regardless of the actual danger. The only thing new about the “new terrorism,†Furedi claims, is the perception that it's any more sophisticated or effective than terror used to be. Citing the resilience of populations who coped with attacks far beyond the capabilities of today's terrorists—such as the Nazi blitz and the Allied bombings of Hamburg and Hiroshima—Furedi argues convincingly that “terrorism cannot seriously threaten the integrity of society nor undermine the way of life of a nation.†Though the British and American governments do have that power, Furedi contends that the war on terror is less a deliberate effort to cow or manipulate than it is a sincere but wrong-headed attempt to mobilize popular support—rooted in fact and genuine concern—by leaders who don't understand that “society can absorb occasional acts of terror,†but that people become disoriented and demoralized living in a protracted state of fear. Referencing hundreds of independent studies, government reports and media commentary, Furedi contributes an insightful argument for a realistic, level-headed and self-aware approach to the problem of terrorism. (Dec.)
