OPPapers.com Essay Index >> American History >> Terrorism
We have many free term papers and essays on Terrorism. We also have a wide variety of research papers and book reports available to you for free. You can browse our collection of term papers or use our search engine.
Terrorism. Terrorism Why do people resort to such violent acts as bombing,
assassinations, and hi-jacking? ... Terrorism is an growing international problem. ...
Terrorism. Terrorism Why do people resort to such violent acts as bombing,
assassinations, and hi-jacking? ... Terrorism is an growing international problem. ...
Terrorism. Terrorism, in the modern sense ... terrorism themselves and their
motives. There is disagreement on definitions of terrorism. ...
Terrorism. Terrorism Why do people resort to such violent acts as bombing,
assassinations, and hi-jacking? How do individuals and ...
Terrorism. Why do people resort to such violent acts as bombing, assassinations,
and hi-jacking? ... Terrorism is an growing international problem. ...
Submitted by swissbizzy on March 6, 2005
Category: American History
Words: 1161 | Pages: 5
Views: 350
Popularity Rank: 26,384
Average Member Grade: N/A (Add a Comment / Grade this Paper)
Terrorism is a type of violence used tactically in peace, conflict, and war. The threat of terrorism is ever present, and an attack is likely to occur when least expected. In trying to find out what factors can cause an individual to choose terrorism, it is first necessary to define what terrorism is. The Department of Defense defines terrorism as “the calculated use of violence or threat of 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.” Per the definition, the terrorists are not giving into a whim of random acts, but these individuals are using calculated moves in order to achieve the purpose of the group. Simply put, this suggests that these individuals are making a conscious choice for violence. What motivates these groups to choose terrorism as a means to achieve a particular agenda? The majority of the motives can be broken down into three broad areas: rational, psychological, and cultural.(1) Although some motives are difficult for the majority of the World to comprehend; given a motive, a terrorist group has a purpose for violence.
The rational terrorist thinks through the options and goals that are to be achieved, making a cost-benefit breakdown. This individual seeks to determine whether there are less costly and more effective ways to achieve the objective than terrorism. Risks and capabilities are assessed to determine whether terrorism should be used or not. This type of thought is similar to that of a military commander choosing which course of action should be taken to achieve the mission’s objectives.
The rational terrorist is more of a strategist, which uses terrorism to achieve an outcome. Sinn Fein can be interpreted as a rational terrorist. In the roots of this organization, terrorism may have seemed to be the only alternative to achieve an audience. Although currently the political party...
You must Login to view the entire paper.
If you are not a member yet, Sign Up for free!