Responding to the Threat of Violent Extremism Failing to Prevent

by Thomas, Paul

• ISBN13: 9781849665254
• ISBN10: 1849665257
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2012-04-10
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic

Summary

This is a classic monograph focusing on recent British attempts to prevent violent extremism, their problems and limitations, and what lessons this can offer for more effective policy approaches in future. In particular, the book will examine policy approaches to the threat of Islamist extremism and far-right racism, in the context of a post 2001 shift in Britain's attitude and policy approach to multiculturalism, to distinct ethnic and faith identities and to the state's relations with ethnic communities. The book will suggest that the often hostile response of many communities to such policy interventions have been a product of unresolved contradictions and tensions within government over wider policy approaches to multiculturalism and identity. The author will explore the design and results of the 'Preventing Violent Extremism' (PVE) and 'Connecting Communities' policy initiatives of the recent Labour government. While PVE is associated specifically with Labour, Thomas will use this case study to address the broader context of debates around the proper balance between distinct ethnic and shared collective identities, a debate which is unlikely to disappear in the near future. Further value will be supplied in the shape of comparative examples from a number of other European states.

Author Biography

Paul Thomas is Reader in Youth and Education at the School of Education and Professional Development, University of Huddersfield, UK.