Does poverty cause terrorism? A simple equation which is frequently evoked in the media and public discourse on terrorism, but as has been shown quite frequently, terrorists tend to come from educated and middle-class backgrounds. So what does it take to make a terrorist? There is - as will hardly surprise anyone - no clear cut, simple answer, but this essay aims at providing an overview and further questions.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Does Poverty cause terrorism?
- The Definition of Poverty
- Poverty and Terrorism: A Possible Link?
- Terrorism and Poverty: An Elite's Struggle?
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay explores the relationship between poverty and terrorism, examining whether poverty is a direct cause of terrorism or if there are other contributing factors. The main aim is to critically analyze the connections between poverty and terrorism, considering both the perspectives of supporters and perpetrators of terrorist activities.
- Defining Terrorism and Poverty
- The Relationship between Poverty and Terrorism
- The Role of Political and Social Structures
- The Background of Terrorists
- The Role of Elite Groups in Terrorism
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- The essay begins by examining the relationship between poverty and terrorism, highlighting Kofi Annan's assertion that poverty contributes to terrorism. It then explores the difficulty in defining both terrorism and poverty, emphasizing the need for clear definitions to understand the connection between the two.
- The chapter then delves into the relationship between poverty and terrorism, exploring whether a direct causal link exists between the two. While acknowledging that a strong link is not immediately evident, it suggests that poverty can contribute to an environment conducive to political violence, which can include terrorism.
- The chapter examines the background of terrorists, challenging the notion that terrorists typically come from deprived backgrounds. It suggests that terrorists often emerge from middle-class backgrounds and that terrorism is driven by political or religious motivations rather than purely economic factors.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The essay focuses on the keywords terrorism, poverty, political violence, and social structures. It explores the complex relationship between these concepts and the role of elites in supporting and perpetrating terrorism. The essay analyzes research findings that suggest a connection between poverty and terrorism but emphasize that poverty is not the sole cause of terrorism. It also explores the role of political grievances and social inequalities in contributing to political violence and terrorism.
- Quote paper
- Nicholas Williams (Author), 2005, Discussion and evaluation of the relationship between poverty and terrorism, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/127209
