MACMILLAN Domestic Extremism and the Case of the Toronto 18

This book examines domestic extremism and what is popularly referred to as radicalization. The fear of domestic extremism has been used to dismantle democracy and erect national security states throughout North America, Western Europe, and beyond. Yet, despite the enormous costs citizens have paid in the name of security, society has become less secure and less safe. In many respects, this situation has resulted from the misapprehension of the conditions that make the emergence of this threat probable. Kowalski focuses on the macro social relations and structures that make radicalization probable. As demonstrated through an analysis of the so-called Toronto 18―an extremist group arrested in June of 2006 for activities that contravened the Canadian Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA)―macro social relations and structures served a significant role in creating the conditions through which the process of radicalization became probable. If a comprehensive understanding of the processes of radicalization are to be reached and effective counter-terrorism policies developed, then the consideration this book provides of greater macro social relations and structures that make the emergence of extremist subjectivities probable is needed. Review “In the current surfeit of books about radicalisation, this book stands out for its fresh perspective, its clarity of analysis, and its genuine contribution to the debate. Among its many strengths, it is the first major study to theorise and investigate empirically the contribution of Western foreign policy and domestic counterterrorism measures to individual processes of radicalisation. As a consequence, its unique approach to investigating how space and historical context is constitutive of the radicalisation process provides an important step forward in our understanding of this highly complex and variegated phenomenon. For anyone interested in radicalisation and its amelioration, this is an essential book.” (Richard Jackson, author of “Confessions of a Terrorist” (2014)) “Combining a focus on how geopolitical framing invokes danger, a detailed analysis of court records and of the media commentary of the strange case of the ‘Toronto 18’, this volume carefully dissects Canada’s domestic war of terror and the phenomenon of ‘home grown’ radicalism. Essential but disturbing reading for anyone interested in how contemporary security policy actually works in North America in the aftermath of 9/11.” (Simon Dalby, Balsillie School of International Affairs, Canada) From the Back Cover This book examines domestic extremism and what is popularly referred to as radicalization. The fear of domestic extremism has been used to dismantle democracy and erect national security states throughout North America, Western Europe, and beyond. Yet, despite the enormous costs citizens have paid in the name of security, society has become less secure and less safe. In many respects, this situation has resulted from the misapprehension of the conditions that make the emergence of this threat probable. Kowalski focuses on the micro social relations and structures that make radicalization probable. As demonstrated through an analysis of the so-called Toronto 18―an extremist group arrested in June of 2006 for activities that contravened the Canadian Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA)―macro social relations and structures served a significant role in creating the conditions through which the process of radicalization became probable. If a comprehensive understanding of the processes of radicalization are to be reached and effective counter-terrorism policies developed, then the consideration this book provides of greater macro social relations and structures that make the emergence of extremist subjectivities probable is needed. About the Author Jeremy D. Kowalski is Adjunct Professor at York University, Canada. He teaches courses on violence and terrorism, popular geopolitics and t