Genealogy of Terrorism: Colonial Law and the Origins of an Idea

Joseph McQuade demonstrates how the modern concept of terrorism was shaped by colonial emergency laws dating back to the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, using India as a case study. He argues that the idea of terrorism emerged as a deliberate strategy by officials seeking to depoliticize the actions of anti-colonial revolutionaries and that many of the ideas embedded in this colonial legislation continue to shape contemporary understandings of terrorism today.

Format: Hardback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 12 November 2020
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Joseph McQuade delves into the historical roots of the modern concept of terrorism, using India as a captivating case study. By examining colonial emergency laws dating back to the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, he sheds light on how this concept was shaped. McQuade begins his exploration by tracing the origins of terrorism to the thugs, pirates, and fanatics of the nineteenth century, highlighting their disruptive actions and the need for legal responses. As the twentieth century unfolded, McQuade traces the emergence and evolution of the legal category of the terrorist in early twentieth-century colonial law. He explores the various legal frameworks and strategies employed by colonial authorities to counter the threat posed by anti-colonial revolutionaries. Through a meticulous examination of archival research and a comprehensive empirical study of evolving emergency laws in British India, McQuade compellingly argues that the idea of terrorism emerged as a deliberate strategy by officials seeking to depoliticize the actions of anti-colonial revolutionaries. He further reveals that many of the fundamental ideas embedded in this colonial legislation continue to shape contemporary understandings of terrorism today. This insightful analysis provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between history, law, and the evolving nature of terrorism, offering a profound understanding of the historical roots and ongoing implications of this global phenomenon.

Weight: 572g
Dimension: 159 x 235 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108842150