emily moggridge | University of Reading (original) (raw)
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The purpose of this research is to evaluate critically the British government’s responses to neo-... more The purpose of this research is to evaluate critically the British government’s responses to neo-jihadist terrorism during the period 2005-2015. The first section of the thesis will identify the most recent and relevant historiography on the nature and scope of the threat to Britain from Jihadist terrorism during the period 2005-2015. This dissertation seeks to investigate and assess these sources, evaluating their relative importance against data, surveys and samples that are presented to us by their authors. Identifying the framework and structure of neo-jihadist terrorism is fundamental to the research. Indeed, the outcome of this thesis will be in support of narratives that argue we are in a phase of neo-Jihadism, neo meaning new. Therefore, this paper argues against theories perpetuated by the likes of historians such as Bruce Hoffman, who conversely argues that the threat has remained the same: Al Qaeda and similar organisations are still very much alive and have a stronghold in the West. Working against Hoffman’s framework, it will be demonstrated how this wave of neo-Jihadist terrorism is fluid in its structure. This also equates to the threat becoming more ‘homegrown’; the threat is no longer top-down in its structure and does not come from terrorist cells functioning in the Middle East. Conversely, the structure of the threat is bottom-up, with individuals already having infiltrated the blue zone (blue denoting friendly).
Succeeding this assessment on the structure and nature of the threat in the United Kingdom, the following section of this research will seek to identify whether the British government has responded proportionately in accordance with this change in the structure of neo-Jihadism. Throughout this section of the research, there will be an open dialogue between the historiography and the British government’s position as outlined in their counterterrorism strategy: CONTEST. It will be illustrated that overall, the British government has not been consistent in their response to neo-Jihadism in the United Kingdom and has therefore not demonstrated a proportional nor impartial reaction.
Finally, this research will seek to evade the mistakes made by the British government and will evaluate and address the problems that have been arisen because of the British government’s warped approach on counterterrorism. It will be illustrated that Muslim communities have noted feeling a sense of stigmatisation, and such feelings have been fuelled and encouraged by government funded projects that blur the boundaries between surveillance, policing and education.
Drafts by emily moggridge
The purpose of this research is to evaluate critically the British government’s responses to neo-... more The purpose of this research is to evaluate critically the British government’s responses to neo-jihadist terrorism during the period 2005-2015. The first section of the thesis will identify the most recent and relevant historiography on the nature and scope of the threat to Britain from Jihadist terrorism during the period 2005-2015. This dissertation seeks to investigate and assess these sources, evaluating their relative importance against data, surveys and samples that are presented to us by their authors. Identifying the framework and structure of neo-jihadist terrorism is fundamental to the research. Indeed, the outcome of this thesis will be in support of narratives that argue we are in a phase of neo-Jihadism, neo meaning new. Therefore, this paper argues against theories perpetuated by the likes of historians such as Bruce Hoffman, who conversely argues that the threat has remained the same: Al Qaeda and similar organisations are still very much alive and have a stronghold in the West. Working against Hoffman’s framework, it will be demonstrated how this wave of neo-Jihadist terrorism is fluid in its structure. This also equates to the threat becoming more ‘homegrown’; the threat is no longer top-down in its structure and does not come from terrorist cells functioning in the Middle East. Conversely, the structure of the threat is bottom-up, with individuals already having infiltrated the blue zone (blue denoting friendly).
Succeeding this assessment on the structure and nature of the threat in the United Kingdom, the following section of this research will seek to identify whether the British government has responded proportionately in accordance with this change in the structure of neo-Jihadism. Throughout this section of the research, there will be an open dialogue between the historiography and the British government’s position as outlined in their counterterrorism strategy: CONTEST. It will be illustrated that overall, the British government has not been consistent in their response to neo-Jihadism in the United Kingdom and has therefore not demonstrated a proportional nor impartial reaction.
Finally, this research will seek to evade the mistakes made by the British government and will evaluate and address the problems that have been arisen because of the British government’s warped approach on counterterrorism. It will be illustrated that Muslim communities have noted feeling a sense of stigmatisation, and such feelings have been fuelled and encouraged by government funded projects that blur the boundaries between surveillance, policing and education.