Terrorism and the Politics of Fear / Edition 1

by David L. Altheide

Overview

In this powerful new book, sociologist David L. Altheide demonstrates how the mass media constructs a politics of fear in America. He argues that politicians and decision-makers bear much of the blame for the promotion of fear among citizens, resulting in the loss of civil liberties in return for greater protection. From a social interactionist perspective, Altheide presents his thesis that fear-as-entertainment informs the production of popular culture and news, generates profits, enables political decision-makers to cynically manipulate citizens, and can lead to major institutional changes, even war. The author dissects in turn: a modern propaganda campaign in the justification of the invasion of Iraq to the American people; the expansion of control and surveillance on the Internet; and the construction of a 'hero fighting terrorism' to promote patriotism, in the story of a promising young Arizona sports hero, Pat Tillman, who joined the Army and was killed by his fellow Rangers in Afghanistan. This thoughtful treatment of a timely subject will be indispensable to teachers and students of sociology, media, politics, and criminology studies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780759109193
Publisher:	AltaMira Press
Publication date:	04/28/2006
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.12(h) x 0.59(d)

About the Author

David L. Altheide is Regents' Professor in the School of Justice and Social Inquiry at Arizona State University.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Preface and Acknowledgments
Chapter 2 Introduction
Chapter 3 The Social Reality of Fear
Chapter 4 The Mass Media as a Social Institution
Chapter 5 Crime and Terrorism
Chapter 6 Consuming Terrorism
Chapter 7 Terrorism and the Politics of Fear
Chapter 8 The Control Narrative of the Internet
Chapter 9 The Propaganda Project and the Iraq War
Chapter 10 Constructing Pat Tillman
Chapter 11 Conclusion: Beyond the Politics of Fear
Chapter 12 References
Chapter 13 Index
Chapter 14 About the Author

Editorial Reviews

Terrorism and the Politics of Fear is a response to the political use of "fear symbols" that has reached unmatched levels in the twenty-first century. In this highly recommended book, David Altheide explores the military-media complex and continues his study of the social construction of 'fear' and its use to steer public and foreign policy. In this exploration, he compellingly argues that crime prevention projects and anti-terrorism efforts pushed through on a wave of manipulated social fear have become broad social control systems that don't necessarily make us safer but invariable make us less free. His detailing of how surveillance systems of varied ilk monitor citizens more but prevent crime less, demonstrates the danger of crime prevention morphing into citizen micro-management and social regulation that is divorced from real security concerns. He deftly tracks how inordinate fear in a society translates into a glib surrendering of civil liberties and privacy. This book should be read by anyone who is concerned for both their security and their liberty.

Professor Raymond Surrette

Terrorism and the Politics of Fear is the most important study of this issue written so far. David Altheide takes apart the rhetoric to show us how the politics of fear is constructed. If you want to understand the construction of fear- this is the place to start.

Professor Frank Furedi

Be afraid. Be very afraid...of our own leaders and media. David Altheide presents a chilling account of ways in which fear has been used to change the American political landscape. This book brings new meaning to the idea that we have nothing to fear but fear itself.

Lance Bennett

This important book demonstrates how politicians and other decision-makers are using fear of terrorism to extend and intensify social control well beyond the threat of terrorism. It shows brilliantly that mass media formats and logics of fear fundamentally shape how people think about security, and lead them to engage in new forms of self-regulation. We are all now governed through fear.

Richard V. Ericson

In a world marked by uncertainty and fear, David Altheide presents a path-breaking and illustrating book, which recapitulates the need of deciphering the intersection of mass media with a culture of fear. As one of the most authoritative voices within the critical terrorism studies, Altheide provides readers with a fresh insight that explains brilliantly how fear is constructed, packaged, and instilled in society. Doubtless, this masterful project not only summarizes Altheide’s life-time efforts in studying terrorism but also describes the emergence of a new exclusionary rhetoric that challenges democracies worldwide.

Maximiliano E. Korstanje

Altheide's study offers great insights into the way that fear is constructed. This compelling account of the way fear works in our daily lives is essential for understanding our world.

Frank Furedi

‘The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,’ said Franklin Roosevelt. The second edition of David Altheide’s Terrorism and the Politics of Fear suggests something more that merits our critical concern: the construction, deployment, and consumption of this fear as part of a broader politics of propaganda and manipulation. Altheide’s nuanced analysis of this pervasive fright politics offers us both the insight to understand it and the courage to confront it.

Jeff Ferrell

Unfortunately, if ever a book on the expanding plethora of frights and worries brought to us by media prevarication and manipulation was needed, it is now. But fortunately, David Altheide, in extending his pioneering work on media and society, helps meet that need. With its logical “frame” framework and fresh concepts and data, the book explores the marketing of anxiety, whether for political or consumption purposes. Altheide’s cogent analysis calls for revision of Franklin D. Roosevelt's classic warning. We do indeed have a great deal to fear, not only from the message, but from the messengers who so disingenuously exploit, create and propagate unwarranted fear. Necessary reading for anyone who listens, watches or reads!

Gary T. Marx