Social action in response to terrorism: Understanding xenophobic violence from a value-added perspective

This paper explores waves of xenophobic violence that have followed terrorist attacks in the United States from a value-added perspective. This work explores the applicability of Smelser's (1962) theory of collective behavior to these incidences of postattack violence, collectively characterizing these events as hostile outbursts. The history of postterrorism violence in the U.S. is detailed in this work, including a review of the first World Trade Center attack (1993), and the Oklahoma City bombing (1995). Special focus is placed on the immediate American response to the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. This paper culminates with a discussion of future research directions and the benefits that may result from conceptualizing postterrorism xenophobic violence as a hostile outburst in terms of preventing unnecessary bloodshed in the wake of terrorist activity.

► Provides a 20 year history of violence in America in the wake of terrorist attacks. ► Covers the Oklahoma City Bombing, 1993 WTC attack, and events of September 11, 2011. ► Discusses Smelser's (1962) theory of collective behavior and its application. ► We contend that post-terrorist attack xenophobic violence are “hostile outburst”. ► The chain of beliefs, events, and postattack violent actions can be broken.