The following essay argues that the most significant source of insecurity today is the threat of terrorism.
Although the world has actually become more peaceful in terms of the actual numbers of lives lost due to terrorist attacks, the consensus among Western experts is that the threat of global terrorism has been increasing. It has been argued that it is the very nature of terrorism that causes this insecurity; they can attack anything, anywhere, at any time and using any means. It is this unpredictability that makes countries and humans feel so vulnerable and threatened.
Table of Contents
1. Threat of Terrorism – the most significant source of insecurity today
Objectives and Themes
This essay explores the contemporary global security landscape, specifically examining why terrorism is perceived as the most significant threat to security, despite statistical data suggesting that other issues like climate change or poverty pose more objective, pervasive risks to human life.
- The subjective and psychological nature of the terrorist threat.
- The impact of 9/11 on global security agendas and foreign policy.
- The potential for terrorists to utilize weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
- The role of US counter-terrorism strategies and the 'War on Terror'.
- The influence of globalization, media, and democratic systems on the perception of terrorism.
Excerpt from the Book
Threat of Terrorism – the most significant source of insecurity today
Despite the many advances that human civilisation has achieved today, there are many risks that threaten human security, such as climate change, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) or disease and poverty. The following essay argues that the most significant source of insecurity today is the threat of terrorism.
Terrorism is not a novel phenomenon; it is deeply rooted in the human history. And, although mainly associated with the Middle East, Muslims and Islam, it is not restricted to any particular group of people or geographical place (Jenkins, 2001, p.21). However, due to the 9/11 attacks, the threats associated with terror caused by radical Islamist groups, such as al Qaeda, imposes, notably to the Western world, the highest threat (Crockatt, 2003, p.73-85).
While the estimated financial damage inflicted upon the US accounts to a shattering $85 billion, excluding the wider economic losses (Wall street Journal, 2001), the death toll (about 3,000 died in the four attacks) when compared to other death causes are relatively low. For instance, it has been estimated that on an average day 30,000 children throughout the world die of malnutrition (Baylis et al., 2008, p.2). However, the effect of 9/11 was un-proportionally dramatic; Fischer (2008, p.143) and Boyle (2008, p.170) put the issue of international terrorism at the centre of the agenda of contemporary security studies.
Summary of Chapters
Threat of Terrorism – the most significant source of insecurity today: This chapter analyzes the paradox between the relatively low statistical impact of terrorism on human mortality compared to other global risks and its dominant position in contemporary security discourse and public perception.
Keywords
Terrorism, Insecurity, Human Security, 9/11, Radical Islamist Groups, Weapons of Mass Destruction, WMD, US Foreign Policy, War on Terror, Globalization, Mass Media, Security Studies, Political Objectives, Asymmetry, Conflicts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this academic paper?
The paper examines why terrorism is prioritized as a primary global security threat, even though other challenges like climate change may present a more pervasive danger to human existence.
What are the central themes discussed?
The work explores the psychological impact of terrorism, the influence of US counter-terrorism policy, the evolution of terrorist tactics, and the role of global media and politics in shaping perceptions of risk.
What is the primary objective of this work?
The primary objective is to analyze the gap between the objective threat level of terrorism and its perceived importance in the post-9/11 international security agenda.
What scientific methods or approaches are utilized?
The essay employs a qualitative analysis of international relations theories, academic security studies, and recent historical data regarding global conflict and foreign policy.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main section covers the history of terrorism, the significance of 9/11, the potential use of weapons of mass destruction, the consequences of the 'War on Terror', and the impact of systemic global factors.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The work is best characterized by terms such as Terrorism, Human Security, Asymmetry, WMD, and War on Terror.
How does the author explain the fear of terrorism despite its relatively low death toll compared to poverty?
The author argues that the nature of terrorism—operating from the shadows, being unpredictable, and utilizing asymmetric tactics—creates a unique sense of vulnerability that traditional threats do not evoke.
What is the conclusion regarding the US 'War on Terror'?
The author concludes that current US military-centric approaches to counter-terrorism have often been counterproductive, failing to address the root causes and potentially increasing global instability.
What role do Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) play in the terrorist threat?
The paper identifies the potential for terrorist groups to acquire and use WMDs as a major concern that significantly escalates the perception of future risks.
How has the 'War on Terror' influenced terrorist recruitment?
The paper argues that the 'War on Terror' and terms like 'Axis of Evil' have fueled anti-Western sentiment and facilitated the rise of 'second-generation' terrorist offshoots.
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- Linda Vuskane (Autor:in), 2010, Threat of Terrorism. The most significant source of insecurity today, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/509341
