Al-Qaeda and sacrifice : martyrdom, war and politics / Melissa Finn.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Finn, Melissa.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Martyrdom.

Qaida (Organization).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (272 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

London : Pluto Press, 2012.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

A critical intervention into the study of terrorism. Challenging the commonly held idea that 'suicide-bombings' are motivated by a nihilistic hatred of life, Melissa Finn argues that it is more honest and helpful to examine such violent agency through the concept of 'sacrifice'.

Contents:

Cover

Contents

Preface and Acknowledgements

Foreword

1. Introduction

Premise and Approach of Book

Ideology, Network or Franchise: What is Al-Qaeda?

Breakdown of Chapters

2. From the Vantage Point of Sacrificial Violence: al-Qaeda's Worldview in Context

Sacrifice in the Western and Islamist Traditions: A Comparison

Grappling with al-Qaeda

Putting al-Qaeda in Context

3. The Meanings of Sacrifice in Islam

Etymological Reflections on Sacrifice

Tadhiya

Fida'

Qurban

Dhabh

Ishtishhad/Shahadah

Futuwwah

Irhab

The Islamic Understanding of Sacrifice

Fee Sabil'illah: Condition of Martyrdom

Tradition of Jihad

Islamic Political Theory: The Promise of Politics and Obligations of Political Agency

Trivariate Ethical Paradigm

Just War Tradition in Islam

Conclusion

4. Comparative Political Thought on War and Sacrifices, and Politics

Introduction

Al-Qaeda's Political Vision

Understanding Sacrificial Subjectivity

Jihadi Sacrifice in Light of Western Thought

Investigating the Parameters of Sacrificial Subjectivity

Intentionality of the Sacrifice

Duty of Sacrifice

Redemption, Retribution: An Eye for an Eye (Life for Life)

The Objects of Sacrifice: The Expendability of Victims

Sacrifice for God Alone

Martyrdom Operations as Sacrilisation, Desacrilisation and Collective Expiation

Principles of Sacrificial Subjectivity for War

The Sacrificial Subject and the Imperative of Hatred

The Sacrifice of Religion Through Co-Existence and Dialogue

Eliminating the Enemy

Sacrificial Subjectivity for Politics, or the Management of Savagery for Political Ends

5. The Limits of Sacrificial Subjectivity for Politics

Heedless Certainty

Rejection of Democracy

Autoimmunity Destroys Plurality.

6. Conclusion: Sacrificial Subjectivity for Acephalic Politics

Notes

Bibliography

Index.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781849647502

184964750X

9781849647496

1849647496

OCLC:

813285753