Download - Understanding terror 5e ch 03

Chapter 3:Chapter 3:

BeginningsBeginningsThe Causes of TerrorismThe Causes of Terrorism

Martin, Understanding Terrorism Fifth Edition. (c) SAGE Publications 2016

Sociological Explanations of TerrorismSociological Explanations of Terrorism Psychological Explanations of TerrorismPsychological Explanations of Terrorism Criminological Explanations of TerrorismCriminological Explanations of Terrorism


Sociological Explanations of TerrorismSociological Explanations of Terrorism

Intergroup conflict that leads to collective Intergroup conflict that leads to collective violence.violence.

Structural theory: Social conditions (‘structures”) Structural theory: Social conditions (‘structures”) that affect group access to societal benefits.that affect group access to societal benefits.

Deprivation theory: Relative deprivation and Deprivation theory: Relative deprivation and absolute deprivation.absolute deprivation.

Cases: Leila Khaled and Abu NidalCases: Leila Khaled and Abu NidalMartin, Understanding Terrorism Fifth Edition. (c) SAGE Publications 2016

Psychological Explanations of TerrorismPsychological Explanations of Terrorism

Individual-level explanations.Individual-level explanations.

Group-level explanations.Group-level explanations.

Generalized psychological explanations.Generalized psychological explanations.

Case: The Stockholm Syndrome.Case: The Stockholm Syndrome.Martin, Understanding Terrorism Fifth Edition. (c) SAGE Publications 2016

Criminological Explanations of TerrorismCriminological Explanations of Terrorism

Differential association theory.Differential association theory.

Routine activity theory.Routine activity theory.

Radical criminology.Radical criminology.


Acts of Political WillActs of Political Will Adversaries in the War on TerrorismAdversaries in the War on Terrorism


Acts of Political WillActs of Political Will

A rational strategic choice to force change.A rational strategic choice to force change.

Terrorism as a tool to achieve a desired goal.Terrorism as a tool to achieve a desired goal.

Case: Mao Zedong and “people’s war.”Case: Mao Zedong and “people’s war.”


Adversaries in the War on TerrorismAdversaries in the War on Terrorism

Perceptions.Perceptions. Western: A war against Western-style civilization.Western: A war against Western-style civilization. Non-Western: An imbalance in policies toward Non-Western: An imbalance in policies toward

Muslim countries vis-à-vis Israel.Muslim countries vis-à-vis Israel.

Concept: The Concept: The behaviorbehavior of the West is the cause of of the West is the cause of angry sentiment in the Muslim world.angry sentiment in the Muslim world.

Case: CIA’s 2007 National Intelligence Estimate Case: CIA’s 2007 National Intelligence Estimate warning Iraq is a new training ground for warning Iraq is a new training ground for terrorists.terrorists. Martin, Understanding Terrorism Fifth

Edition. (c) SAGE Publications 2016

Moral Convictions of TerroristsMoral Convictions of Terrorists Simplified Good and EvilSimplified Good and Evil Seeking UtopiaSeeking Utopia Codes of Self-SacrificeCodes of Self-Sacrifice


Moral Convictions of TerroristsMoral Convictions of Terrorists

Terrorists have an unambiguous certainty in Terrorists have an unambiguous certainty in the righteousness of a cause.the righteousness of a cause.

Concepts:Concepts: A group concludes it has been morally wronged A group concludes it has been morally wronged

by an immoral, evil enemy.by an immoral, evil enemy. A group concludes it possesses an inherent A group concludes it possesses an inherent

moral superiority to an enemy.moral superiority to an enemy.


Simplified Definitions of Good and EvilSimplified Definitions of Good and Evil

A clear line is drawn between good and evil.A clear line is drawn between good and evil. Violent methods are justified by the ennobled Violent methods are justified by the ennobled

goals of the cause.goals of the cause.

Seeking UtopiaSeeking Utopia

The promised good outweighs present actions.The promised good outweighs present actions. ““The end justifies the means.”The end justifies the means.”


Codes of Self-SacrificeCodes of Self-Sacrifice

Superior codes of living that “cleanse” those Superior codes of living that “cleanse” those who follow the code.who follow the code.

Case: Germany’s Waffen SS.Case: Germany’s Waffen SS.

Case: Japan’s code of Bushido.Case: Japan’s code of Bushido.
