Abstract:
This thesis investigates whether talking can contribute to the transformation of conflicts
characterized by terrorist violence. It begins by questioning the understanding of terrorism
put forward by traditional terrorism scholarship and its contention that talking in contexts
of terrorism is useless and/or counterproductive. Drawing on Frankfurt School critical
theory and in particular its application by the Aberystywth School of critical security
studies, it develops a critical theory-based approach to terrorism that overcomes many of
the hurdles seen as impeding talking in terrorism contexts.
This investigation then examines how dialogical responses to terrorism can be understood
and puts forward the concept of talking. Drawing on Pierre Bourdieu’s practical theory, the
thesis develops an understanding of talking that overcomes the negotiations-dialogue
dichotomy, re-embeds the practice in the daily lives of social actors, and restores the
potential for transformation to human interaction.
Bourdieu’s theory is then used to develop an understanding of transformation that includes
both practice – modus operandi – and that which results from practice – opus operatum. It
examines several practices (calculation, the symbolic impact of talking, self-entrapment,
persuasion, familiarization/humanization, empathy/sympathy, and trust) through which
talking may contribute to the transformation of means as well as personal, relational and
structural transformation.
This theoretical framework is applied to two case studies: talking from 1988 to 1998 aimed
at transforming the conflict in Northern Ireland; and talking from 1996 to 2007 between the
Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Based on numerous
interviews with key actors, documentary analysis and participant observation, the case
studies examine how talking contributed to the transformation of these conflicts. The thesis
concludes by arguing that although talking must not be seen as a panacea, it cannot be ruled
out as a potential response that can contribute to the transformation of conflicts marked by
terrorist violence.