TERRORISM - Causes Flashcards
Political Causes
*Western foreign policy
*Dictatorship
*Corruption
*Nationalism
Social Causes
*Religion (R= not all religious people/ most muslims condemn terrorists and acts)
*Discrimination (F= poverty/deprivation)
Economic Causes
*Poverty
*Deprivation
Western Foreign Policy Paragraph
*Terrorists in Europe usually motivated/radicalised in reaction to western foreign policy. Islamist terrorists want full removal of UK troops from Middle East/end to military action affecting innocent Muslims the last 15-20 years.
*Example, sister of 2017 Manchester suicide bomber, Salman Abedi, claimed brother’s motive killing 22 injuring 116 was revenge. “I think he saw children, Muslim children, dying everywhere. He saw the explosives America drop on children in Syria and he wanted revenge.”
*Shows terrorism may be caused by Western life.
*Therefore, main cause of terrorism
Dictatorships
*Some countries run by oppressive governments, dictatorships. Government makes decisions not fair on majority of population and no elections mean the government can remain for many years. Groups of citizens (rebels) may resort to terrorism to bring about change. Although terrorism, these groups are widely supported.
*Example, Syria is a dictatorship and experiences human rights violations which leads to terrorism. After torture of boys for painting anti-gov graffiti, there were protests. Government responded violently, starting Syrian civil war and continued since 2011. Group of rebels are fighting to overthrow President Assad and his government to have greater freedoms.
*Shows people go to extremes for freedom.
*Therefore cause of terrorism.
Nationalism
*Is the support for political independence of particular nation or people. Some countries/regions there are people who want independence but can’t achieve it peacefully. May turn to violence/terrorism to achieve nationalist goals. People also referred to as “separatists”.
*Example, Palestinian terrorist groups such as Hamas have been involved in a war with Israel over land for decades. Palestinian terrorists don’t recognise state of Israel and believe land belongs to them and state of Palestine.
*Shows strong beliefs can resort to terrorism.
*Therefore, cause of terrorism.
Religion
*Some commit terror attacks in name of religion. Referred to as extremists. Many are Islamic extremists who are waking a jihad (holy war) against West. Believe they’re acting on behalf of their God. Believe carrying out terrorist attacks will make them martyrs and rewarded in afterlife.
*Example, many attacks in last two decades were carried out by Islamic extremists in response to West’s involvement in Middle East wars such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Example, Salman Abedi, 2017 Manchester arena bombing killed 22 injured 119.
*Shows religion is significant cause as individuals are motivated to commit attacks as they don’t want western way of life to spread into Muslim countries. Actions are justified by God.
*Rebuttal = most Muslims condemn terrorist activities
Discrimination
*Person from particular racial, religious, ethnic group faces discrimination, can lead to feeling isolated and alienated. Person may seek out communities/cultures like theirs. Groups may become resentful of society, become radicalised in response to discrimination.
*Example, 2011, French government passed law banning face coverings in public. 2021, Switzerland held referendum on banning face coverings public including Muslim veil women wear for religious reasons, 51% voted in favour. Many Muslims protested this and felt discriminated against. Laws don’t mention Islam or Islamic headgear to avoid anti-discrimination provisions, widely believed to be targeted at Muslims and referred to as burqa bans. Critics of the law have argued it discriminated against Muslims and may provoke terrorism in future.
*This shows discrimination can be a cause as individuals feel isolated from society and feel the need for revenge.
*Furthermore = poverty
Religion Rebuttal (Not all religious people)
*Majority of religious people don’t engage in violent actions. Most Muslims condemn actions of terrorists.
*Example, study by J. Poushter 2015 found most people in countries with significant Muslim populations have unfavourable views of ISIS. Also found most Muslims stated suicide bombings and other violence against civilians in the name of Islam were rarely or never justified. Similar study in US found 86% of Muslims said such tactics were rarely or never justified. Evidence suggests although some individuals are motivated to commit high profile terrorist acts because of their religious beliefs, most religious people are opposed to their actions.
*Therefore, religion plays a role in causing terrorism. (Social)
Discrimination Furthermore (Poverty)
*Terrorists may be driven by sense of deprivation and poverty in society.
*Example, in Somalia and Nigeria where many have grown up in conditions of extreme poverty there is a lack of education, prospects and unemployment. These have made individuals vulnerable to arguments and promises of military groups such as Boko Haram and al-Shabaab to give them a better life if they become part of their organisation.
*Shows poverty can be cause in poorer countries as they may seek sense of belonging and purpose and find it within these terrorist groups.
*Therefore, discrimination and poverty are social causes of terrorism.
Deprivation
*Deprived neighbourhoods whose residents live in extreme poverty have become recruiting grounds for terrorist groups who want to exploit conditions people are living in.
*Example, Kenya’s poverty and deprivation have led to al-Shabaab offering money to people in poorest areas to join them. Member interviewed by BBC News claimed the only reason he joined al-Shabaab was the money the offered him. He claimed to have been paid more than $1000 to join. Due to his life living in extreme poverty this offer was hard to turn down.
*Shows many people in the area regards al-Shabaab as a business whose method of paying people to join has been effective in the most deprived areas.
*Therefore, deprivation is an economic cause.
Corruption
*Government of a country suffering from terrorist activity within its borders may be embezzling state funds. Country will not have a functioning welfare state to support people or a successful economy to create jobs for its citizens. Can lead to young people joining terrorist groups that will sometimes pay them to be combatants. Happened in Somalia in recent years.
*Example, al-Shabaab is an Islamist terrorist group which has operated in Somalia and paid people living in poverty to join.
*Shows may not be people’s choice to join but may feel there is no other option to survive.
*Therefore, political cause of crime.
