A feminist critique of the militarization of knowledge production on terrorism studies: a scholar-activist counter-narrative account

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Clarke, RD, 2019. A feminist critique of the militarization of knowledge production on terrorism studies: a scholar-activist counter-narrative account. PhD, Nottingham Trent University.

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Abstract

Given the post-2008 'evolution' of the term 'terrorist' to incorporate more domestic threats, such as protesters/activists/dissidents, in the West (particularly with reference to the US and UK respectively), the author seeks to question the utility of this development for the purposes of reducing violent conflict. Consideration is given to the Minerva Initiative and the relationship between the security and scholarly community, towards the aim of the United States to manage future security challenges. It is suggested that the increasing militarization of knowledge production, coupled with the militarization of police and civic spaces, is in fact counter-productive to efforts to reduce such (domestic) violent conflict. Considering the recent context of post-2016, 'post-truth' events and the Trump Presidency, along with the 'black propaganda', 'fake news' and hybrid security threat of Russia; the author highlights significant areas of Cold War-esque concern raised from the analysis. In the ongoing Information War context, scholar-activists are needed more than ever. Furthermore, the author suggests an alternative theoretical and methodological approach, incorporating Critical (Feminist) Security scholarship, a radical approach to Peace Economics, and alternative critical (artistic) methods. This ultimately resulted in the author choosing an 'immersive', 'scrap-booking' style for the format of the thesis. The author suggests that critical (feminist) security scholars are best placed to utilise Peace Economics, engaging empathy via concepts such as Sylvester's (1994) 'empathetic cooperation'; developed further by 'CS' scholars such as Sjoberg (2006, 48), who suggest it can be understood as a 'feminist security ethic'. This approach should improve the prospects for a reduction in political violence (often referred to as 'terrorism'). It is suggested the hermeneutic cycle, reflexivity and autobiographical counter-narrative methodological approach, enables the scholar-activist to negotiate a path through the current political and intellectual landscape in academia, whilst also remaining true to activist ideals and aims. In seeking solutions to the problems of today, the author suggests we look to the past...and the Presidency, for 'A (feminist) 'Strategy of Peace' (Economics)'.

Item Type:	Thesis
Creators:	Clarke, R.D.
Date:	May 2019
Rights:	This work is the intellectual property of the author. You may copy up to 5% of this work for private study, or personal, non-commercial research. Any re-use of the information contained within this document should be fully referenced, quoting the author, title, university, degree level and pagination. Queries or requests for any other use, or if a more substantial copy is required, should be directed to the owner(s) of the Intellectual Property Rights.
Divisions:	Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by:	Linda Sullivan
Date Added:	17 Sep 2019 11:05
Last Modified:	17 Sep 2019 11:05
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/37682