TERRORISM

Question 1

Define Terrorism

Answer 1

The unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.

Question 2

5 key features of terrorism

Answer 2

Has a political goal
Uses violence or the threat of violence
Creates a climate of fear and terror
Targets civilians and non-combatants
Attacks used to attract media attention

Question 3

Attacks used to attract media attention

Answer 3

If no one reports, no one knows they have something to be afraid of.

Question 4

Dynamic Terrorism

Answer 4

Terrorist groups demand change, revolution or political movement. Terrorists require drastic action to destroy or alter the status quo (the current system).

Question 5

Political Terrorism

Answer 5

A terrorist act is committed with the intention to cause a political effect – violence is used to implement political views.

Question 6

Media Exploitation Terrorism

Answer 6

A terrorist act is intended to target a wide audience – beyond just the actual victims of the act. It is aimed at creating ‘terror’ or fear.

Question 7

Deliberate Terrorism

Answer 7

Terrorism is an activity planned and intended to achieve particular goals – it is not a random act rather, it is a specifically selected tactic.

Question 8

Coercive Terrorism

Answer 8

Violence and destruction are used to produce the desired effect OR the threat of potential violence is used to achieve the outcome.

Question 9

5 Characteristic Terrorist behaviour

Answer 9

Dynamic
Political
Media Exploitation
Deliberate
Coercive

Question 10

Psychopathology of Terrorism

Answer 10

Terrorists feel they are doing nothing wrong when they kill or injure people or damage property
Most share a psychological condition known as anti-social personality disorder or psychopathic personality disorder
This is an absence of empathy for the suffering of others and don’t feel the pain of others.

Question 11

Motive of Terrorism

Answer 11

Groups that practice terrorism do so in order to bring about political change of some type.

Question 12

Many countries introduced special anti-terrorism legislation in the aftermath of 9/11

What does it do?

Answer 12

This legislation allowed the government to:
Increase surveillance in society
Enforce security checks
To detain suspected terrorists in ways not previously permitted, for example to hold people longer without charge

Question 13

This legislation is controversial in many countries. why?

Answer 13

There are two areas of debate:
The extent to which the legislation overrides the civil liberties/human rights of citizens
The treatment of those held in US detention centres