Courtroom Ethnography in the Context of Terrorism: A Multi-Level Approach

Abstract

This paper addresses terrorism trials as sites of research and proposes an approach for the analysis of ethnographic data collected during these trials. The suggested approach offers multi-level analytical access, it centers around interactionist conceptions and knowledge discourses. The conceptual framework we suggest is spelled out in terms of how to observe and being sensitive of (re-)production of power structures inside the courtroom as well as in regard to relations imported into the courtroom. For this purpose, we integrate (i) the micro-level of courtroom interactions and (ii) (self-)presentation, (iii) the meso-level of knowledge (re)production and the establishment of knowledge orders and (iv) an intersectional perspective on gender, race, and class in knowledge discourses. By applying a multi-level approach, we open up new explanatory avenues to understand the constitution of terrorism as a socio-legal object. The methodical framework connects hitherto unconnected elements, that is, participants’ interactions and negotiation, their (self-)representations, ascriptions and narrative performances, and knowledge (re-)production in order to establish or maintain political and social orders.

Defining the concept of terrorism from the antropological perspective

“…Moreover, it provides valuable insights into the root causes of terrorism, addressing issues such as poverty, social exclusion, and political grievances, which are often exploited by extremist groups. In this context, this exploration of terrorism importance in our contemporary world delves into the multifaceted dimensions of this phenomenon (Bögelein et al, 2022;Primoratz, 1997;Reid, 1993). It underscores the need for interdisciplinary research, international cooperation, and nuanced analysis to grapple with the challenges it presents.…”

“…At the same time, the anthropological perspectives to confronting terrorist manifestations are insufficiently studied nowadays. This creates certain obstacles to increasing the effectiveness of the existing countermeasures considered to be one of the most important problems of the world and national character (Bögelein et al, 2022;Prasad, 2016). Therefore, relying on the work of native and foreign scientists in the field of terrorism, and considering its basic (epistemological, ontological) knowledge dimensions about the research on terrorism in the field of anthropology, we suggest a conceptual model of terrorism interpretation to explain the idea of terrorism and to investigate the philosophical manifestations of the current dangerous, antihuman feature of social life.…”