ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the rationale behind the choice of using what term an empathetic ethnographic approach to the study of conflicts marked by terrorist violence, and engage with some of the key specificities, strengths and problems of this approach, in particular when investigating political violence. In particular, the author examines how Rogers three core conditions of empathy, congruence and unconditional positive regard can help ensure that as far as possible one speaks with research co-participants rather than for them. Although not essential to all critical approaches to terrorism, emancipation is at the heart of any approach based on the Frankfurt School. However, unlike projects aimed at spreading universal liberal practices across different political, social and cultural contexts, a critical theory-based understanding of emancipation is always context-specific. To this end, the author argues that Rogers' three core conditions of his person-centred therapy provides helpful guidelines for an empathetic ethnographic practice.
