It was a normal Tuesday morning in September. He had just got up and was eating breakfast when his dad called home. My mother answered the phone, and his dad simply said "turn on the news." Probably somewhat nervous because of her husband's ominous tone, his mother turned on the television. As she stood there shocked, he made his way into the living room. He could see the burning image on the screen, and knew something horrible had happened, but he couldn't get his mother to tell me what had happened. Instead of continuing to watch the confusing events playing out on the television he decided he should probably go work on his math. He got some paper out and wrote his name, then the date: September 11th, 2001. Strange that at the time he didn't know that this date would be the reason that he would resolve to join the army. Who would have thought that something he didn't even fully understand would completely change the course of his life? There are many stories like this that other people have, and it serves to show that terrorism affects everyone in a negative way. Because of events like 9/11 it is made clear that no act of terrorism by anyone for any cause can ever be justified as these attacks cause many problems like mental illnesses in survivors, it causes governments to disrespect the rights of their citizens, and it does not promote change.
Table of Contents
1. Terrorism: Why It Can Never Be Justified
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the enduring negative impacts of terrorism, specifically focusing on the 9/11 attacks, to argue that such acts are fundamentally unjustifiable because they inflict severe psychological trauma, infringe upon civil liberties, and ultimately fail to achieve their intended political goals.
- The long-term psychological effects on survivors, including PTSD.
- The socio-political failure of terrorism to effect positive change.
- The escalation of military intervention in the Middle East following terrorist acts.
- The erosion of civil rights and privacy through increased security measures.
- The emergence of international and domestic distrust as a consequence of terror.
Excerpt from the Book
Terrorism: Why It Can Never Be Justified
It was a normal Tuesday morning in September. He had just got up and was eating breakfast when his dad called home. My mother answered the phone, and his dad simply said "turn on the news." Probably somewhat nervous because of her husband's ominous tone, his mother turned on the television. As she stood there shocked, he made his way into the living room. He could see the burning image on the screen, and knew something horrible had happened, but he couldn't get his mother to tell me what had happened. Instead of continuing to watch the confusing events playing out on the television he decided he should probably go work on his math. He got some paper out and wrote his name, then the date: September 11th, 2001. Strange that at the time he didn't know that this date would be the reason that he would resolve to join the army. Who would have thought that something he didn't even fully understand would completely change the course of his life? There are many stories like this that other people have, and it serves to show that terrorism affects everyone in a negative way. Because of events like 9/11 it is made clear that no act of terrorism by anyone for any cause can ever be justified as these attacks cause many problems like mental illnesses in survivors, it causes governments to disrespect the rights of their citizens, and it does not promote change.
Summary of Chapters
Terrorism: Why It Can Never Be Justified: This chapter establishes the thesis that terrorism is inherently unjustifiable by detailing the immediate and long-term psychological and societal damage caused by events such as the 9/11 attacks, arguing that these acts fail to produce meaningful political change while simultaneously eroding individual rights and global trust.
Keywords
Terrorism, 9/11, Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome, PTSD, Survivors Guilt, Civil Rights, Foreign Policy, Middle East, International Distrust, Government Intervention, National Security, Psychological Trauma, Unjustifiable, Political Change, Human Rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core argument of this work?
The work argues that terrorism is an unjustifiable crime against humanity because its negative consequences—such as severe psychological trauma for survivors and the infringement of civil rights—far outweigh any political objectives the perpetrators hope to achieve.
What are the central themes of the paper?
The central themes include the long-term mental health impact on survivors, the failure of terrorist acts to create desired political changes, the geopolitical consequences of intervention, and the degradation of civil liberties in the name of national security.
What is the primary goal of the author?
The primary goal is to demonstrate, through analysis of the 9/11 attacks and subsequent global reactions, that terrorism is ineffective and morally indefensible.
Which scientific or analytical approach does the author use?
The author uses a socio-political analysis approach, drawing upon psychological studies, historical events, and contemporary journalistic reporting to substantiate the claim that terrorism produces only destructive outcomes.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the text?
The main body discusses the prevalence of PTSD among 9/11 survivors, the miscalculation of terrorists regarding their influence on U.S. foreign policy, the unintended consequence of increased western intervention, and the violation of civil rights due to heightened security measures.
Which keywords characterize this paper?
Key terms include Terrorism, PTSD, Civil Rights, 9/11, Foreign Policy, and International Distrust.
How did the 9/11 attacks specifically affect the mental health of survivors?
The text highlights that a study in the American Journal of Epidemiology found nearly 96 percent of surveyed survivors reported at least one symptom of PTSD, showing that the psychological damage is pervasive and life-altering.
Does the author believe terrorism can be a "good" thing by exposing security flaws?
The author explicitly rejects this argument, stating that it incorrectly assumes terrorism is an inevitable constant; if terrorism did not exist, the extreme and restrictive security measures currently in place would not be necessary.
What is the relationship between the 9/11 attacks and U.S. foreign policy?
The author argues that while terrorists hoped to end U.S. involvement in the Middle East, their actions actually triggered further intervention, leading to increased American military and financial presence in the region.
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- Daniel Andrews (Autor:in), 2013, Terrorism. Why it can never be justified, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/271865
