Social Cohesion and Counter-Terrorism - Husband, Charles & Alam (2011)

‘Social Cohesion and Counter-Terrorism’ is a report of a qualitative research project that was carried out in the five metropolitan authorities of the Association of West Yorkshire Authorities (AWYA), United Kingdom. The background of this research is presented by a Joseph Rowntree Foundation-funded project on the experiences of young Muslims who had Pakistani heritage and lived permanently in Bradford, England. The authors claim that, due to the process of globalisation, the flow of human beings, goods, and resources across national borders became extensive and routine, which led to cultural mixing within states’ borders.

The multi-ethnic character of modern states spurred governments to elaborate specific policies aimed at ameliorating relations between different groups within the society. However, over the last few years in some countries, particularly in the United Kingdom, questions concerning the possible ways of maintaining civility and cohesion among fellow citizens have emerged. Husband and Alam raise the issue of the “Broken Britain” concept, which centers on the social division and self-segregation of Muslim communities in Britain.