Robert Y. Shapiro

Brigitte L. Nacos

Yaeli Bloch-Elkon

Counterterrorism, the Media, and Public Opinion

Selling Fear

How did the United States descend into crisis, with institutions frayed, political violence mounting, and democracy itself in peril? This timely book identifies how the Tea Party and its extremist narratives laid the groundwork for the rise of Donald Trump, his MAGA movement, and the January 6, 2021, assault on the Capitol. Brigitte L. Nacos, Yaeli Bloch-Elkon, and Robert Y. Shapiro trace the escalation of a strain of extremist rhetoric in right-wing political discourse after the inauguration of Barack Obama. Drawing on extensive and in-depth analysis of political communication in both traditional media and online spaces, they demonstrate how the dominant rhetorical styles of the Trump era were pioneered by the Tea Party. A backlash to the election of the first Black president, this reactionary social movement deployed violent language and spread anti-Obama paranoia, with the assistance of media insiders, GOP leaders, and conservative advocacy groups. Donald Trump rose to political prominence by hitching himself to the “birther” racist conspiracy theory, espoused by many Tea Partiers, and drew from their aggressive and hyperpartisan repertoire. Ultimately, this book shows, the increasingly violent rhetoric of right-wing extremists spilled over into real-world political violence. Revealing the path the Tea Party blazed to Trump and the insurrectionists, Hate Speech and Political Violence provides timely new insights into the threats facing American democracy.

Far-Right Rhetoric from the Tea Party to the Insurrection

Hate Speech and Political Violence

Focusing on the phenomenon of terrorism in the age of ISIS/ISIL, Terrorism and Counterterrorism investigates this form of political violence in an international and American context and in light of new and historical trends. In this comprehensive and highly readable text, renowned expert Brigitte Nacos clearly defines terrorism's diverse causes, actors, and strategies; outlines anti- and counterterrorist responses; and highlights terrorism's relationship with the public and media. Terrorism and Counterterrorism introduces students to the field's main debates and helps them critically assess our understanding of, and our strategies for, addressing this complex and enduring issue. New to the Sixth Edition: Additions to terrorist developments since 2016, including the rise and decline of ISIS in Iraq and Syria. A significant expansion of the analysis of intelligence gathering and the growth of the U.S. intelligence community in the post-9/11 era. Discussion of increasing activities of extremist groups in the so-called alt-right and the ANTIFA movement in the U.S. and abroad. More explanations for the making of terrorists, including rational choice theory and new research revealing childhood trauma as a risk factor. An enlarged chapter on women and children in terrorism to include suicide missions as family projects. A new section on human rights violations in counterterrorism. athering and the growth of the U.S. intelligence community in the post-9/11 era. Discussion of increasing activities of extremist groups in the so-called alt-right and the ANTIFA movement in the U.S. and abroad. More explanations for the making of terrorists, including rational choice theory and new research revealing childhood trauma as a risk factor. An enlarged chapter on women and children in terrorism to include suicide missions as family projects. A new section on human rights violations in counterterrorism.

Terrorism and Counterterrorism

The news as commodity, public good, and political manipulator -- Selling fear : the not so hidden persuaders -- Civil liberties versus national security -- Selling the Iraq war -- Preventing attacks against the homeland -- Preparing for the next attack -- Mass-mediated politics of counterterrorism -- Postscript. President Obama : underselling fear?

Brigitte L. Nacos

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