The symbolic character of terrorism is the focus of this textbook. A comprehensive analysis, it incorporates descriptions, definitions, case studies, and theories. This groundbreaking text encompasses all major aspects of symbolism in terrorism and will be an essential resource for anyone studying the subject.
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This paper is a conceptual analysis of Islamic radicalization. Islamic radicalization refers to the process of persuading individuals (e.g., often new or potential Muslim recruits) that jihad is the answer to contemporary problems that have undermined the existence or progress of Islam on a global scale. This topic is important because visualizing the issue in this manner enhances our understanding of the Islamic radicalization process. An important conclusion is that such radicalization is efficient because it has been shown to inspire a wide spectrum of individuals to fight the enemies of Islam in Holy War and die for Allah. Keywords: Caliphate; communication; framing; fundamentalism; internet; Islam; Islamic radicalization; jihad; Social Movement Theory; terrorism.
This article applies symbolic convergence theory (SCT) to the type of symbolism used by Hezbollah, a Shia terrorist organization. By and large, SCT posits that sharing group fantasies contributes to symbolic convergence. The success of symbolic convergence hinges on three important concepts: symbolic cue, fantasy type and saga. An example of a symbolic cue is Hezbollah's yellow-and-green logo that symbolizes global militancy against infidels. In regards to the organization's fantasy types, eight of them were identified (e.g. Al-Quds Day, definition of enemies and individual self-sacrifice). Apropos of Hezbollah's sagas, two figureheads, Ruhollah Khomeini (the Grand Ayatollah in Iran) and Hassan Nasrallah (the current Hezbollah leader), have become idols of worship by hundreds of thousands of Hezbollah members and millions of Shia Muslims. An important conclusion is that events can be more important for their symbolism than their very happening or existence. Hence, through symbolism, Hezbollah can strike a chord within its followers so as to produce significant change in the world.
Abstract This article examines how Walmart became successful in Argentina by applying the tenets of 'glocalization' theory. 'Glocalization' refers to the strategies a multinational corporation employs abroad to cater to local idiosyncrasies. When Walmart built its first stores in Argentina, it imposed its US-based blueprint of low-pricing tactics and shopping traditions that were rapidly rejected by most Argentinian consumers. After a few years of trial and error, Walmart finally brought forth five major business and cultural changes that proved successful: (1) adaptation of store design, (2) adaptation of products to local tastes, (3) adaptation of shopping culture, (4) adaptation of employment practices and workplace culture and (5) acceptance of trade unions.
This paper analyzes the experience of Bharti-Wal-Mart, a joint venture between Wal-Mart and Bharti Enterprises (an Indian telecommunications company), based on the principles of glocalization theory. By and large, glocalization refers to the adaptation of multinational corporations (MNCs) to local cultures. MNCs achieve this by immersing themselves into local cultures and by adopting unconventional marketing techniques. A major finding of this analysis is that globalization is not monolithic. It is not a homogenizing factor that forces local cultures to follow the norms, practices, and values of a big corporation. In fact, Wal-Mart executives quickly learned that imposing the Bentonville blueprint on local Indian populations would be doomed to failure from the beginning. An important focus of this analysis is to establish a framework for greater understanding of the strategies adopted by Wal-Mart in India.
This article examines glurbanization, a model stating that urban transformation through interscalar strategies can increase the ability and status of global city-regions to develop global competitive advantages. Interscalar strategies refer to the use of scaling processes through strategic cross-border restructuration and multiple localities. Localities are groups or communities such as neighborhoods, municipalities, suburbs, regions, and urban zones. Interscaling implies a network or relationship between each of these localities, each being at a different scale. Glurbanization, then, collapses the global and the local. It does not follow a hierarchical design whereby the nation-state controls how things work; rather, globalization now happens from both 'below' and 'above'.
"Public communication campaigns are found everywhere and it is nearly impossible to elude them in our modern-day environment of traditional communication and social media. By and large, a campaign is a comprehensive and organized attempt at shaping the behavior, attitude, or decision-making status within a community of people. It is a strategic course of action carried out during a specific time limit and for a precise outcome. A public communication campaign consists of a set of coordinated messages or other communicative efforts aimed at accomplishing predetermined goals and objectives: to sway a high number of people's beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. Atkin (1981) defines "public communication campaign" as a method that uses "promotional messages in the public interest disseminated through mass media channels to target audiences." Public communication campaigns tend to be waged by state or non-state actors who seek to inform or affect behaviors in large audiences through an organized set of communication processes. They are designed with two phases in mind. The first phase generates awareness about a certain topic. Thus, a campaign has a purpose; the desired outcomes can be diverse ranging from individual level cognitive impacts to social or systemic change. The second phase uses that awareness to instill behavior change and shape the thoughts or actions of the audience; it is typically aimed at a large audience. "Large" is an important concept here because it helps differentiate campaigns from interpersonal persuasive endeavors by one or a few person that seek to influence a handful of others"--
This book examines the reasons for which children join terrorist movements and how they eventually become peace activists fighting the very crimes that they once committed. The transformation of child terrorists into peace activists has received scant attention from academics and practitioners alike. Particular focus is placed on child jihadism, child terrorism in Africa and Latin America, child separatist terrorism, and White child supremacism. These five groups of child terrorists represent about 80% of the problem across the world. The text serves as a primer for anti-terrorism and peace activism for global social change. It includes original, applied research and features personal accounts from former child terrorists who became peace activists themselves. One of the nine chapters provides an in-depth thematic analysis of the lives of 24 subjects (from all five aforementioned groups). The analysis produced four main themes that encapsulate the time and effort that it takes to become a peace activist today: metamorphosis, terrorist behavior, disillusionment, and anti-terrorist behavior. The book ends with multiple solutions from the perspective of social work, including the reintegration of former child terrorists into society. From Child Terrorism to Peace Activism is a resource of deep and broad appeal. The text is essential reading for upper-level undergraduate and Master's students in political science, military studies, international relations, international law, and peace and conflict studies. It can be pertinent reading for students and instructors in international social work contemplating social work-related solutions to rehabilitate former child terrorists and child soldiers into society through peace activism, anti-terrorist endeavors, and other socio-psychological methods that will produce social change. The text also would appeal to faculty and students in childhood studies with an interest in child terrorism, child development, and child trauma and resilience. Given the essentials, depth, and possibilities that the book offers, it is a useful resource for audiences within counterterrorism institutes, national security agencies, and academic think-tanks. Information on motives, strategies, radicalization processes, and recruitment methods used by terrorist organizations as well as their effects on various audiences will draw readers from law enforcement agencies and institutions.
