Countering extremism is starting to receive more attention as a subject of research in academia and policy circles alike, demonstrating its rising popularity within the market. Nevertheless, the market currently lacks literature on the topic of extremism (as opposed to terrorism), and critical approaches in particular. The concept of this book thus grows from the need to look at the under-researched approaches to the topic from a critical perspective.This book brings together a set of scholars from a diverse range of countries, experts in many fields of social sciences to present valuable multidisciplinary analysis of both theoretical and practical aspects related to countering extremism. It will thus be of interest for scholars and students of the following disciplines, among others: Anthropology, Comparative Politics, Criminology, Education Studies, Gender Studies, International Relations, Post-colonial Studies, Peace Studies, Sociology, Subaltern Studies, Terrorism Studies.

Introduction: Encountering extremism: a critical examination of theoretical issues and local challenges - Alice Martini, Kieran Ford and Richard Jackson

Part I: What's in a name? Theoretically deconstructing extremism
1 Interrogating the concept of (violent) extremism: a genealogical study of terrorism and counterterrorism discourses - Chin-Kuei Tsui
2 Conceptualising violent extremism: ontological, epistemological and normative issues - Sondre Lindahl
3 Knowledge, power, subject: constituting the extremist/moderate subject - Mariela Cuadro
4 The lone (white) wolf, 'terrorism' and the suspect community - Marie Breen-Smyth
5 The personal is political: feminist critiques of countering violent extremism - Jessica Auchter
6 A peace studies approach to countering extremism: do counter-extremism strategies produce peace? - Kieran Ford
7 What is an educational response to extreme and radical ideas and why does it matter? - Aislinn O'Donnell

Part II: Extremism, countering extremism and preventing extremism: from theory to international and local challenges
8 Legitimising countering extremism at an international level: the role of the United Nations Security Council - Alice Martini
9 International PVE and Tunisia: a local critique of international donors' discourses - Guendalina Simoncini
10 Communication as legitimation in Spanish CVE: bringing lessons from the past - Laura Fernández de Mosteyrín
11 Extremists or patriots? Racialisation of countering violent extremism programming in the United States - Priya Dixit
12 The CVE paradox: inapplicability and necessity in Bosnia and Herzegovina - Tanja Dramac Jiries
13 Drivers or decoys? Women and the narrative of extremist violence in Pakistan - Afiya Shehrbano Zia
14 The mayor of Abuja and the 'Pied Piper' of Maiduguri: extremism and the 'politics of mutual envy' in Nigeria? - Akinyemi Oyawale
Index