Citation

Agathangelou AM, Ling LHM. Int. Stud. Q. 2004; 48(3): 517-538.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.0020-8833.2004.00313.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

America's “war on terror” and Al Qaeda's “jihad” reflect mirror strategies of imperial politics. Each camp transnationalizes violence and insecurity in the name of national or communal security. Neoliberal globalization underpins this militarization of daily life. Its desire industries motivate and legitimate elite arguments (whether from “infidels” or “terrorists”) that society must sacrifice for its hypermasculine leaders. Such violence and desire draw on colonial identities of Self vs. Other, patriotism vs. treason, hunter vs. prey, and masculinity vs. femininity that are played out on the bodies of ordinary men and women. We conclude with suggestions of a human security to displace the elite privilege that currently besets world politics.