Countering Violent Extremism and Terrorism: Assessing Domestic and International Strategies by Stéfanie von Hlatky (ed.)
| DOI | 10.1177/0020702021996299 |
| Date | 01 March 2021 |
| Published date | 01 March 2021 |
| Subject Matter | Book Reviews |
are conventional, if not outdated. Since they sought to track numerous BRI proj-
ects, new techniques such as data mining and automated content analysis might
have significantly increased the efficiency and breadth of their research.
Third, the authors may have fallen into the trap of the discourse on the China
model. They ignore the fact that there are various China models in different
regions and cities in China. For example, there is the Sunan model in Jiangsu
province, the Wenzhou model in Zhejiang province, or the Guangdong model in
the Pearl Delta region. As Min Ye points out, firms located in different regions
follow different logics and practices when participating in BRI projects abroad.
4
In
short, the authors overlook how these competing models manifest themselves both
within China and when Chinese firms go abroad.
Despite these shortcomings, the book is informative and stimulating, as it offers
a refreshing perspective on the BRI that differs from the often-polarized views.
Moreover, this book brings a Canadian voice and scholarly contribution to the
global BRI discourse, which is often dominated by scholars, media, and think
tanks from powerful countries. This book will be of interest to those who seek a
comprehensive, accessible, and balanced overview of the BRI that eschews simple
binaries. Since it was written before the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic
which began in early 2020, it did not anticipate the unexpected effects of this
pandemic on the BRI, such as rapidly rising geopolitical tensions between China
and some countries along the BRI. How the BRI will unfold during and after the
COVID-19 pandemic remains to be seen.
St
efanie von Hlatky (ed.) Countering Violent Extremism and Terrorism: Assessing Domestic and
International Strategies,
Montr
eal and Kingston: McGill-Queen’s University Press,
2020. 224 pp. $34.95 (paper)
ISBN: 978-0-7735-5936-3
Reviewed by: Daniel Livermore (dlivermo@uottawa.ca), University of Ottawa, Ottawa,
Ontario, Canada
Ever since terrorism and counterterrorism (CT) were pushed to the centre stage of
national and international relations as a result of 9/11, many groups of varying
disciplines and skill sets have explored thematic aspects of the fight against terror-
ism. This book is by and for one of those groups, who look at the phenomenon of
radicalization that leads to violence, extremism, and terrorism. Countering Violent
Extremism and Terrorism: Assessing Domestic and International Strategies is a
collection of essays in ten parts: an introduction; eight substantive chapters; and
a conclusion—each by a different author.
4. Min Ye, The Belt Road and Beyond: State-Mobilized Globalization in China 1998–2018 (Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press, 2020).
Book Reviews 175
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