Terrorism 1 Flashcards
Truths about common misconceptions about terrorism (6)
1) terrorism is not on the rise; 2) most deaths do not occur in Western nations; 3) most terrorists are mentally stable; 4) in the USA, most terrorism incidents are not committed by Islamist terrorists; 5) Most terrorist acts are committed by domestic terrorists; 6) Less than 5% of published research in terrorism interviewed terrorists
What are the challenges of terrorism 4)
a) what research question to study; b) access to research participants; understand the context across different cultures (political ideology; national culture; religious groups); d) what research methodology (quantitative = what closed questions; qualitative = access and agreement to talk about their experiences)
Define terrorism
is an act of violence (domestic or international) usually committed against non-combatants and aimed to achieve behavioural change and objectives by creating fear in the wider population
Number of deaths due to terrorism
approximately 13,186
Terrorism number of deaths lower than
children under 5 all causes; tobacco; child undernutrition; overweight and obesity; alcohol; diarrhoeal diseases; air pollution and outdoor; HIV and AIDS; road traffic accidents; malaria; suicide; interpersonal violence; childbirth or permanency related disease; armed conflict
Why are terrorist acts so impactful (4)
while the probability of dying or being injured by an act of terrorism is remote it is very impactful because 1) it is random, individuals can do little to prevent terrorism or protect themselves (relies on others to do their job); 2) it is perceived as a threat to everyone in society; 3) it is very newsworthy compared to other killers (homicides; suicides; traffic deaths); 4) many reminders about terrorist acts (screening at airports, bollards on streets etc.)
What are the most common country locations for terrorism
Iraq; Afghanistan; Syria; Nigeria; Pakistan
What are the most common continent locations for terrorism
Middle East and North Africa; South Asia; Sub-Saharan Africa
Types of terrorism
Lone wolf attacks; organised terrorist groups
Where do lone wolf attacks usually occur
typically in nation with stable democratic governments (France, USA, Australia)
Where do organised terrorist groups usually occur
typically in failed states where there is continuing conflict or where there is non-democratic governments (especially dictatorships); Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, Somalia, Nigeria
In Western nations (OECD) …
In Western nations, lone wolf attacks are the most frequent
Number of lone wolf attacks in Western countries compared to other attacks
164 lone wolf attacks; 70 other attacks
In non-Western nations (non-OECD) …
In non-Western nations, terrorist groups exist and are the most frequent
Reasons for terrorism in OECD
youth unemployment; low social cohesion; lack of opportunity; drug crime; attitudes towards immigration
