What is terrorism, terrorism is the systematic use of terror, often violent, especially as a means of coercion. However in the international community terrorism has no legal binding criminal law definition. Common definitions of terrorism refer only to those violent acts which are intended to create fear; are perpetrated for a religious, political or, ideological goal; and deliberately target or disregard the safety of non-combatants. Now that we have an idea what terrorism is, now let’s take a look to see what the psychology behind a terrorist what are some is…
Terrorism has changed dramatically over time and has only recently been so bloody and violent and on a large scale. The history of terrorism had been existent since the 1970s where the French Revolutionary Government instituted systematic state terror against the population of France by killing thousands. The way terrorism was taken out has changed over the years. Changes in the tactics and techniques of terrorists have been significant, but even more, the growth in the number of causes and social contexts where terrorism is used. Over the past 20 years, terrorists have committed violent acts for alleged political or religious reasons with these terrorist organisations been spilt up into groups according to their reasoning of attack. This may include Nationalism, Religious, Anarchist, State Sponsored, Left and Right Wing…
There are three types of terrorism: State-sanctioned terrorism, terror networks, and domestic terrorism. State-sanctioned terrorism attacks are usually an attempt to gain world attention for a cause, not necessarily to kill a large number of people. Groups that utilize this type of terrorism usually have a political agenda and are attempting to create a new political state, to destroy another state, or…
Although terrorism happens throughout the world there is a heavier activity in certain areas of the world because they want to override government and change rules and laws. It’s sought out because there isn’t another way for terrorist to get their economic, political or religious demands heard. Terrorist often live close to their targets selected and engage in a great deal of preparation. Terrorists go to great lengths in preparing their attacks committing other crimes while doing so. For example in 2004 Attack of Western oil companies and housing compounds in Al Khobar, Saudia Arabia, results in death of 22 people. Killing innocent people is random areas at random times gives them more publicity for their cause. Terrorist main goal is to cause more violence and uprisings to force changes to accommodate their political, economic and religious demands.…
Terrorism is an act that threatens or carries out violence with the intention to disrupt, kill or coerce against a body or nation in order to impose will. This means that a lot of groups use this method to get what they want. The groups use a variety of methods, groups such as:…
Terrorism happens all over the world, but tends to be heavier in certain parts of the world. The cause of heavier terrorism in certain areas of the world can be from the want of overriding the government and changing the rules/laws. Violence is something that goes hand-in-hand with terrorists. They believe there is no other way for them to get their political, economic, and/or religious demands seen. By killing innocent civilians at random places and random times, they think it will give more publicity to their causes. Their main goal is that causing more violence and uprisings will forces changes in their favor to their political, economic, and/or religious demands.…
Terrorism It is described variously as both tactic and strategy; a crime and a holy duty; a justified reaction to oppression and an inexcusable abomination. Has been an effective tactic of the weaker side in a conflict. United Nations defined terrorism on 1992, it is ‘an anxiety-inspiring method of repeated violent action, employed by (semi-) clandestine individual, group or state actors, for idiosyncratic, criminal or political reasons, whereby - in contrast to assassination - the direct targets of violence are not the main targets.’ (United States Department of Defense): ‘the calculated use of unlawful violence or threat of unlawful violence to inculcate fear; intended to coerce or to intimidate governments or societies in the pursuit of goals that are generally political, religious, or ideological.’…
Put as simply as possible, however, terrorism is the “indiscriminate killing of innocent citizens for political goals” (Hislope and Mughan 262). Terrorism is a multifaceted, complicated concept with deep roots, which is what makes it so difficult to define. Terrorism is not an ideology, but it is a “method, a technique, a tactic” that a variety of groups use to achieve their political goals (Hislope and Mughan 239). Russian anarchist Peter Kropotkin described terrorism as “‘propaganda by the deed,’” suggesting that this kind of violence is simply a method of demonstrating a point that would not otherwise be heard (239). While terrorism definitely has gained prevalence in recent years, it “is anything but new,” with general origins dating back to the biblical Zealots (Rodenbeck 1). The term “‘terrorism’” first emerged during the French Revolution amid the Reign of Terror (Hislope and Mughan 248). However, the modern understanding of terrorism first emerged in the twentieth century, as non-governmental groups attempted to combat the increasing globalization occurring throughout the…
Terrorism has changed and developed across the world over time, much like the world has changed and developed over time. Advancements in technology, communications, military and transportation have also aided in the advancement of terrorist ability. Most countries, as well as the people residing in them, have dramatically advanced their capabilities in all areas, including terrorism, with each passing decade. The phrase ‘terrorism’ was originally coined in the late 1700s in reference to European governments attempting to gain a stronghold over the people and initiate their ideas (Roberts, 2002). However, this began to change in the late 1800s when non-governmental organizations began developing with a mission to overthrow their unsatisfactory…
To think like a sociologist, one must first want to see the behind the scenes look of the social environment of the world. Peter Berger describes sociology as entering a new and unfamiliar society, one in which a form of culture shock is introduced (Berger, 6). I would venture off to say that what Peter Berger means by “things are not what they seem’ (Berger, 6) is that, sociology trains you to not settle for the outer surface of things, but to dig deeper into a particular cause, establishment, corporation or country and uncover the inner layers of its true meaning, debunking propaganda.…
Terrorism is a trend which spans centuries, continents and ideologies. It is the act of committing violence against others, be they civilian, military or governments in order to raise awareness about a group, ideology or cause. Throughout history terrorism has been influenced by many forces but three key forces have shaped this trend the most significantly. Religion is often a driving force for acts of terror especially when the perpetrators of terrorism believe their religious practices and views are being oppressed.…
Effective counterterrorism relies on much more than a reduction in civil liberties. Although arguments have been made that we must all give up some liberties in the name of security, these security measures are rarely short lived and often lead to a contentious relationship between the American public and the government that serves it. The National Security Agency’s (NSA) global surveillance program, made public by Edward Snowden, exemplify how government efforts to collect data can be viewed as infringing on these civil liberties. Indeed, in the realm of counterterrorism, the U.S. finds itself in a no win situation; effective counterterrorism policy or upholding civil liberties. Although I am personally willing to relinquish some…
All the terror attacks that the news broadcasters speak about have gone unpunished because nothing much has been done to fight ISIS. ISIS has many names like ISIL and Daesh. ISIS was a sub unit in Al Qaeda who broke off to pursue their own goals. ISIS’s goal for the past few years have been to create a Caliphate or Islamic state where they enforce Shariah law meaning they use the Qu’ran to make their laws and to decide what to do in times of trouble. ISIS’s members have shown their brutality towards anyone who is against them. Many brutalities include grouped beheadings, executions, and genocide in the middle east as well as western civilization with the countless massacres ISIS claims to have done. ISIS is getting bigger and bigger every…
There is a seemingly endless bevy of varying definitions of terrorism, yet all of these definitions lead towards terrorism as a concept and have certain common features. One primary concept is evident in all descriptions; terrorism is fundamentally and inherently political. This key characteristic of terrorism is absolutely paramount to understanding its aims, motivations and purposes and is critical in distinguishing it from other types of violence, such as organised…
Extremist groups around the world have perpetrated terrorism as a means for religious or political goals. These acts of violence are targeted at densely populated cities. This is done to leverage human fear to achieve the main goal of the group. One of the most infamous terrorist attacks was the attack on the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001. Since then, U.S. policies have changed and have also contributed to the propagation of terrorism.…