ABSTRACT
The objective of this chapter is to interrogate the ideational assumptions that underpin the widely held claim that 9/11 signalled the onset of a new form of terrorism. It also focuses on the evidence of transformations in political violence, the continuities that are elided in the new terrorism thesis and the ways in which the new terrorist threat has been institutionally mobilized in policy and practice. The range of grievances expressed by modern terrorist groups today are not dissimilar to those that have driven such groups to turn to political violence in the past. Religious dispute, ethnic tensions, economic exploitation, cultural imperialism and injustice remain prevalent reasons for resorting to violence. In subjecting the discourse of new terrorism to analysis there are, of course, many reasons to be concerned about future threats. With transportation routes widened by globalization and the fragmentation of States possessing nuclear weaponry, the likelihood of an attack using chemical, biological or radiological weapons has increased.
