Al Qaeda and Vicarious Victims: Victimological Insights into Globalized Terrorism

THE NEW FACES OF VICTIMHOOD: GLOBALISATION, GLOBAL JUSTICE AND VICTIM EMPOWERMENT, R.M., Letschert, J.J.M. Van Dijk, eds., Dordrecht, Springer, 2011

19 Pages Posted: 29 Mar 2011

See all articles by Antony Pemberton

Antony Pemberton

Tilburg University - International Victimology Institute Tilburg (INTERVICT)

Date Written: January 25, 2011

Abstract

The reactions of indirect, so-called vicarious victims to Al Qaeda’s mass victimization attacks in Western countries play an important, maybe even pivotal role in her strategy of provocation and means of organization. This is the central argument of this chapter. The organization has tried and succeeded to provoke both governments in the West, but its inhabitants as well. The success of this provocation is related to angry reactions of vicarious victims and the process of vicarious retribution Muslims living in Western countries have suffered as a consequence. In turn this has contributed to Al Qaeda’s capability to maintain a global presence, without the necessity of direct, but thereby fragile links, with all those working under its banner.

Keywords: Victimology, terrorism, anger, vicarious retribution

JEL Classification: Kl14

Suggested Citation

Pemberton, Antony, Al Qaeda and Vicarious Victims: Victimological Insights into Globalized Terrorism (January 25, 2011). THE NEW FACES OF VICTIMHOOD: GLOBALISATION, GLOBAL JUSTICE AND VICTIM EMPOWERMENT, R.M., Letschert, J.J.M. Van Dijk, eds., Dordrecht, Springer, 2011, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1795422

Antony Pemberton (Contact Author)

Tilburg University - International Victimology Institute Tilburg (INTERVICT) ( email )

P.O. Box 90153
Tilburg, Noord Brabant 5000 LE
Netherlands

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