Security, Identity, and British Counterterrorism Policy

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xv

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2. Setting the Scene

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

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   2. Counterterrorism, Identity, (In)security

      • Kathryn Marie Fisher

      Pages 3-22

   3. Considering Contexts

      • Kathryn Marie Fisher

      Pages 23-33

   4. To Identify Terrorism — A Consequential Ambiguity

      • Kathryn Marie Fisher

      Pages 34-47

3. A Story of British Counterterrorism and Identity

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 49-49

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   2. Preserving Peace and Maintaining Order, 1968–1978

      • Kathryn Marie Fisher

      Pages 51-71

   3. Criminalizing Terrorism, 1979–1989

      • Kathryn Marie Fisher

      Pages 72-90

   4. A Shifting Legal Durability, 1990–1999

      • Kathryn Marie Fisher

      Pages 91-117

   5. Amplifying 21st-Century Exception, 2000–2006

      • Kathryn Marie Fisher

      Pages 118-146

   6. A Plateau of Exceptionality, 2007–2011

      • Kathryn Marie Fisher

      Pages 147-172

4. Reflecting and Looking Ahead

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 173-173

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   2. (starting) Conclusions

      • Kathryn Marie Fisher

      Pages 175-195

5. Back Matter

   Pages 196-270

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Counterterrorism laws and policies have become a normalized fixture of security agendas across the globe. How do 'us/them' identity constructions contribute to the legitimizing strategies surrounding this development? The British case provides a historically-situated illustration which is of ongoing significance for security and insecurity today.

• Terrorism
• Counterterrorism
• Security
• Discourse Analysis
• Britain
• Northern Ireland
• International Terrorism
• Lawmaking
• Parliament
• parliament
• Policy
• terrorism
• British Politics
• us politics

“Kathryn Marie Fisher’s Security, Identity, and British Counterterrorism Policy explores the interrelated connections of discourse, security, and identity construction in counterterrorism. … The book provides a strong empirical analysis that traces the causal connectivity in explaining how counterterrorism law in the United Kingdom was shaped, legitimized, and normalized based on identity constructions. It provides a useful study about relational mechanisms that shape the securitization of counterterrorism.” (Ryan Shaffer, Terrorism and Political Violence, Vol. 29 (5), 2017)

'An original, wide-ranging, and deeply thoughtful book. It draws on historical context as well as sophisticated theoretical arguments, and it offers a very valuable analysis of an important subject.' Professor Richard English, University of St Andrews, UK

'Fisher's theoretically sophisticated and empirically rich genealogy brings vital historical depth to existing discursive work on the politics of identity within counterterrorism policy. This outstanding new text forces readers to rethink the ways in which claims to belonging and exclusion are put together, evolve, and matter for formulating and normalising responses to terrorist violence and related security challenges.' Dr Lee Jarvis, University of East Anglia, UK

'How we perceive danger, and what we do about it, defines our identity. Fisher's book shows how we construct ourselves through the conduct of security. Using solid and clear evidence, she demonstrates that actions and statements build group identities through the process of drawing boundaries between 'us' and 'them'.' Dr Sherrill Stroschein, University College London, UK

• National Defense University, USA

  Kathryn Marie Fisher

Kathryn Fisher is Assistant Professor at National Defense University's College of International Security Affairs, USA. She has previously taught at Ohio University, USA. Her publications include work in Critical Studies on Terrorism and Critical Perspectives on Counter-Terrorism.

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