A noted conflict expert shows how accelerating globalization is causing dangerous global insecurity that must be met by new security models and policies.
Accelerating globalization is causing major problems. Religious fundamentalists and traditionalists feel more threatened. Tribalism and "local identities" are coming to the fore. The gap between rich and poor widens around the world. The dangers of terrorism and torture increase. How can the world remain both prosperous and safe?
The New Global Insecurity: How Terrorism, Environmental Collapse, Economic Inequalities, and Resource Shortages Are Changing Our World explores insecurity arising out of accelerating globalization. In this unique and forward-thinking work, psychologist Fathali M. Moghaddam, director of the Conflict Studies Program at Georgetown University, explains how and why worldwide insecurity is rising and what steps we must take to quell or reverse that insecurity to make the future of the world more peaceful.
The book first analyzes the elements and roots of global insecurity, discussing it in relation to terrorism, torture, economic instability, threatened identity, and religious fundamentalism. It then puts forward a new model for understanding security, wherein “soft security capital” serves as the enabling condition for “hard security capital.” Finally, the current policies for managing diversity, "multiculturalism" and "assimilation" are both rejected in favor of an exciting new policy—"omniculturalism". Drawing on his years of study and expertise, Moghaddam likewise proposes a new policy for better managing intergroup relations in an insecure age.
Highlights
• Helps readers better understand insecurity associated with globalization
• Explores the irrational nature of risk and security
• Explains the deep similarity between terrorism and torture
• Presents a revolutionary new model of security and a new, research-based policy for managing intergroup relations, called "omniculturalism"
Fathali M. Moghaddam is an Iranian-born, British-educated psychologist who worked for the United Nations and McGill University before joining Georgetown University, where he is now director of the Conflict Studies Program. He has conducted award-winning research on intergroup conflict, radicalization and terrorism, and human rights and duties. He is the author or coauthor of numerous Praeger books including How Globalization Spurs Terrorism: The Lopsided Benefits of “One World” and Why That Fuels Violence and From the Terrorists' Point of View: What They Experience and Why They Come to Destroy.
Endorsements
"In The New Global Insecurity, Ali Moghaddam develops a broad conception of human security that extends beyond freedom from the threat of military force to include environmental, food, and health safety. From this vantage point, security is not simply confined to military threats but incorporates the worries and concerns of ordinary people. Moghaddam argues for heightened international economic cooperation and renewed attention to identity threats. The book is a must read for anyone interested in a psychological approach to the national and international challenges posed by globalization."—Leonie Huddy, Editor, Journal of Political Psychology
Professor, SUNY Department of Political Science
Director, Center for Survey Research
"This important book identifies globalization, the increasing diversity of populations, and other sources of threat, insecurity and frustration in our contemporary world. It shows how they affect our effectiveness and well being and contribute to violence between groups, to terrorism and torture. This wide-ranging and well written book considers traditional approaches to dealing with diversity, and points to a new approach based on scientific research and understanding of human nature."—Ervin Staub, author of The roots of evil: the origins of genocide and other group violence, and The psychology of good and evil: Why children adults and groups help and harm others
