Origins of Terrorism: Psychologies, Ideologies, Theologies, States of Mind (Woodrow Wilson Center Press)

This book breaks new ground in examining and explaining the nature and sources of terrorists' beliefs and actions. Earlier attempts to explain the psychology of terrorism have tended to ignore the phenomenon's diversity. Too often, they have focussed on one particular terrorist group or individual or on one simple psychological theory. The contributors to this book explore terrorist behaviour in all its troubling richness and diversity, and identify the ways in which it develops, grows and sustains itself. Looking at the areas of ideology, nationalism and religion, they study the mechanisms that enable terrorists to carry out violent acts against innocents, as well as the ways in which leaders of governments respond to terrorist actions and threats. Finally, they identify the opportunities for future research on the psychology of terrorism as well as the limits of such research.