Informerphobia: Understanding the ‘Fear Factor’ in Crime- and Terrorism-Related Information Disclosure in Afghanistan

Abstract

Purpose – This chapter aims to coin, unpack, and illustrate the concept and societal impact of informerphobia. This is the fear of people to report information on (threatening) violence and terrorism to the state agencies that are formally tasked to respond to these threats.

Methodology/approach – This chapter is a theoretical exercise, combining insights from general sociology, organization studies, military studies and the literature on good governance. The illustration pertaining to Afghanistan is based on previous fieldwork in the region.

Findings – The chapter points at the importance of having properly functioning state agencies that have to be flexible, decentralized, and truly bureaucratic in the Weberian sense of the word. In addition, a civic culture of ordinary people producing counterpressure is indispensable to make the state agencies more effective.

Originality/value of the paper – The concept is brand new as is its elaboration and application to Afghanistan.

Citation

Soeters, J. and Johnson, H.N. (2012), "Informerphobia: Understanding the ‘Fear Factor’ in Crime- and Terrorism-Related Information Disclosure in Afghanistan", Kümmel, G. and Soeters, J. (Ed.) New Wars, New Militaries, New Soldiers: Conflicts, the Armed Forces and the Soldierly Subject (Contributions to Conflict Management, Peace Economics and Development, Vol. 19), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 167-184. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1572-8323(2012)0000019014