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Al-Qaida - mellan tankeprodukt och reell fiende

Sjöberg, Martin (2007)
Centre for Theology and Religious Studies
Abstract
The present thesis closer examines what has come to be known as al-Qaida, partly from what al-Qaida is considered to be, partly from the consequences a certain picture of al-Qaida might give rise to. Between 1988-2001 most of this thesis sources refers to al-Qaida as a small, organized core group with some degree of cell structure. From 1991 to present days, many of the sources enlarge the picture of al-Qaida. From now on they start to view al-Qaida as either a network in itself or al-Qaida as a part of a larger islamistic network, not only as an organized core group with presumptive bases in Afghanistan. The most recent of theories regarding al-Qaida looks at al-Qaida as an ideology in itself (al-Qaedaism) or al-Qaida as a part of... (More)
The present thesis closer examines what has come to be known as al-Qaida, partly from what al-Qaida is considered to be, partly from the consequences a certain picture of al-Qaida might give rise to. Between 1988-2001 most of this thesis sources refers to al-Qaida as a small, organized core group with some degree of cell structure. From 1991 to present days, many of the sources enlarge the picture of al-Qaida. From now on they start to view al-Qaida as either a network in itself or al-Qaida as a part of a larger islamistic network, not only as an organized core group with presumptive bases in Afghanistan. The most recent of theories regarding al-Qaida looks at al-Qaida as an ideology in itself (al-Qaedaism) or al-Qaida as a part of previously existing ideologies (Islamism, Neofundamentalism and Jihadism-Salafism).

Al-Qaida is being seen - by scholars, journalists and terrorism experts - as an organization with a core group, a network in itself, part of a larger islamistic network and an ideology of its own or as a part of already existing ideologies. In some cases al-Qaida is viewed as a mixture of all of the three theories. Al-Qaida - between a product of thought and a real enemy - summarizes the opposite poles in which the theories concerning al-Qaida are located. Many of the sources in this essay views al-Qaida as an amalgamated phenomenon, neither a downright organization, a downright network nor a downright ideology, instead a phenomenon, which contains elements of them all.

The present picture of al-Qaida - extremely diversified with three dominating theories that control and reflect the image of al-Qaida - receive the important consequence that it widens the threat from what is seen as al-Qaida, which this thesis concludes might give rise to islamophobia. Another important consequence this thesis identifies is that the greater threat al-Qaida is considered to be, the more difficult it will be - for intelligence agencies - to meet the diversified and asymmetric threat. (Less)
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author
Sjöberg, Martin
supervisor
organization
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Al-Qaida, islamism, terrorism, Islam, Religious Studies and Theology, Religion och teologi
language
Swedish
id
1322335
date added to LUP
2007-09-13 00:00:00
date last changed
2007-09-13 00:00:00
@misc{1322335,
  abstract     = {{The present thesis closer examines what has come to be known as al-Qaida, partly from what al-Qaida is considered to be, partly from the consequences a certain picture of al-Qaida might give rise to. Between 1988-2001 most of this thesis sources refers to al-Qaida as a small, organized core group with some degree of cell structure. From 1991 to present days, many of the sources enlarge the picture of al-Qaida. From now on they start to view al-Qaida as either a network in itself or al-Qaida as a part of a larger islamistic network, not only as an organized core group with presumptive bases in Afghanistan. The most recent of theories regarding al-Qaida looks at al-Qaida as an ideology in itself (al-Qaedaism) or al-Qaida as a part of previously existing ideologies (Islamism, Neofundamentalism and Jihadism-Salafism).

Al-Qaida is being seen - by scholars, journalists and terrorism experts - as an organization with a core group, a network in itself, part of a larger islamistic network and an ideology of its own or as a part of already existing ideologies. In some cases al-Qaida is viewed as a mixture of all of the three theories. Al-Qaida - between a product of thought and a real enemy - summarizes the opposite poles in which the theories concerning al-Qaida are located. Many of the sources in this essay views al-Qaida as an amalgamated phenomenon, neither a downright organization, a downright network nor a downright ideology, instead a phenomenon, which contains elements of them all.

The present picture of al-Qaida - extremely diversified with three dominating theories that control and reflect the image of al-Qaida - receive the important consequence that it widens the threat from what is seen as al-Qaida, which this thesis concludes might give rise to islamophobia. Another important consequence this thesis identifies is that the greater threat al-Qaida is considered to be, the more difficult it will be - for intelligence agencies - to meet the diversified and asymmetric threat.}},
  author       = {{Sjöberg, Martin}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Al-Qaida - mellan tankeprodukt och reell fiende}},
  year         = {{2007}},
}