Beyond Terror

"Beyond Terror: The Truth About the Real Threats to Our World" is a book by Chris Abbott, Paul Rogers and John Sloboda of Oxford Research Group, a UK-based think tank. It is a 120 page paperback published by the Rider imprint of Random House in April 2007. It carries endorsements from Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Brian Eno, George Monbiot and Anita Roddick amongst others.

The book’s authors set out to argue that terrorism is not the greatest threat to world security and that the ongoing ‘war on terror’ is failing and, in fact, actually increasing the likelihood of more terrorist attacks.

Instead, the authors identify four key trends as being the greatest threats to global security in the 21st century – climate change; competition over resources; marginalisation of the majority world and global militarisation. Each of these is given a separate chapter.

Climate Change

The authors contend that, as the effects of climate change are likely to lead to the displacement of peoples, to severe natural disasters and increasing food shortages, they will have security implications for all countries which are more serious, lasting and destructive than those of international terrorism.

However, the authors do not see merit in greater use of nuclear power to combat climate change as this would increase the risks of nuclear proliferation amongst state and non-state groups. Instead they argue for a response predicated around the development of local renewable energy sources and radical energy conservation practices.

Competition over Resources

The authors argue that the locking into place of supply and demand structures for raw materials and primary products – the ‘resource shift’ – is a key factor in the international political economy. They also draw attention to the way in which intense competition for resources can provoke or exacerbate conflict – especially in the case of oil. The authors suggest that competition for a range of resources, most notably water, may become increasingly significant as a driver for global insecurity.

Marginalisation of the Majority World

"Beyond Terror" points out that while overall global wealth has increased, the benefits of this economic growth have not been equally shared. The book argues that a combination of global poverty, political exclusion and injustice lie at much of the root of global insecurity – with increasing numbers of marginalised people communicating their frustration and anger via a growing world wide media network.

The book argues that successful security policies will have to go beyond merely controlling paramilitary groups and classic counter-terrorism strategies and move toward determined efforts to address the underlying global socio-economic divisions that the world is currently experiencing.

Global Militarisation

The authors note a growing tendency toward the use of military action to maintain global security since 9/11. They are also concerned by the modernisation of nuclear weapons, the continued expansion of the number of nuclear weapons states and potential future advances in genetic engineering in relation to biological weapons.

Ways Forward

The last chapter of the book then goes on to identify what the authors have called a ‘sustainable security’ paradigm. In relation to the four threats they have already identified, the authors’ suggest a series of measures to increase global security including energy efficiency and resource conservation; the development of alternative energy technologies; global aid, trade and debt relief; a combination of addressing the legitimate political grievances of marginalised groups; intelligence-led police investigations against violent groups; and renewed efforts toward global disarmament and non-proliferation.

This is followed by a section entitled “Resources for Change” which covers the various issues explored in the book. Each section is split into “Learn” (resources focussed on accessible information and analysis) and “Act” (resources focussed on things the average reader can do). It ends with extensive notes and references, and a glossary of some of the terms used throughout the book.

Reviews

"This incisive study is radical in the proper sense... it demonstrates that the real threat to global peace lies in our failure to recognise our interdependence."Archbishop Desmond Tutu

"Powerful and well-presented... The argument it makes is hard to fault. Anyone who claims to be interested in security would be foolish not to read it."George Monbiot, author of "Heat: How To Stop the Planet Burning"

"Outstanding... It is a joy to come across book that is truth-telling and myth breaking on the subject of our security. It will change the way you look at the world, and once informed I challenge anyone not to move to action."Dame Anita Roddick

"This brilliant and lucid book is the single most important contribution to understanding and coping with the future that I have ever read."Brian Eno, musician and campaigner

Foreign Language Editions

In addition to English, "Beyond Terror" has been published in the following languages:

Portuguese: "As Ameaças do Mundo Actual" (Editorial Presença, July 2007) [http://www.editpresenca.pt/catalogo_ficha_livro.asp?livro=4158]

Dutch: "Het Kleine Boek over de Grote Bedreigingen voor Onze Wereld" (A.W. Bruna, October 2007) [http://www.awbruna.nl/servlet/book?isbn=9789022993620&template=wittebeertjes]

German: "Jenseits des Terrors: Was unsere Welt wirklich bedrohtedition" (Edition Nautilus, February 2008) [http://www.edition-nautilus.de/proc.php?buecher/abbott/pol_jenseits.html]

Spanish: "Mas Alla del Terror" (Los Libros del Lince, May 2008)

Links

Random House minisite [http://www.randomhouse.co.uk/minisites/beyondterror/]

Oxford Research Group publication page [http://www.oxfordresearchgroup.org.uk/publications/books/beyondterror.php]

Oxford Research Group online shop [http://www.orgshop.org.uk/asp/product.asp?product=119]