Using empirical evidence, this book highlights the misguided and ineffective efforts of the UK government to prevent violent extremism.

This book is available as open access through the Bloomsbury Open Access programme and is available on www.bloomsburycollections.com. How should we understand home-grown terrorism like the 7/7 London bombings? This is a classic monograph focusing on recent British attempts to 'prevent violent extremism', their problems and limitations, and what lessons this can offer for more effective policy approaches in future. Paul Thomas's extensive research suggests that the Prevent policy approaches, and the wider CONTEST counter-terrorism strategy, have been misguided and ineffective, further alienating British Muslim communities instead of supporting longer-term integration. He argues that new, cohesion-based approaches encouraging greater trust and integration across all communities represent the best defence against terrorism.

"This book provides a clearly written and confidently argued account of mainly British debates over how to respond to violent extremism. It draws on some new research evidence and makes a valuable contribution to our knowledge and understanding of this topic... with much insight and a wealth of detail informed by a strong critical voice." - Ian Law, Professor and Director, CERS - Centre for Ethnicity and Racism Studies, School of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Leeds, UK