Hundreds of definitions of terrorism exist because experts and scholars think of it in different ways. However, these descriptions all agree that terrorism involves violence aimed at instilling fear in victims to achieve a certain goal (Alvarez & Bachman, 2019). Since acts of terror cause panic, people’s concerns are often disproportionate to the level of risk. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), there were 127 terrorist attacks in America from 2002 to 2011 (Alvarez & Bachman, 2019). However, since there is no agreed-upon definition of a terrorist attack, it is possible to state that some incidents were omitted from the statistics. Moreover, this figure excludes American casualties in places such as Afghanistan and Iraq. It is impossible to report the exact number of terrorist attacks because of such unreported victimizations.
It is also difficult to identify underlying features shared by terrorists because they portray different characteristics. For instance, while some are driven to terrorism by poverty, others come from wealthy backgrounds. Terrorism emerges from the interplay of a range of social, political, cultural, and religious factors. Studies show that most terrorists share an underlying psychological issue such as a narcissistic personality disorder (Alvarez & Bachman, 2019). This character trait enables them to commit violence without empathizing with their victims. It is important to note that terrorists are neither “crazy,” as some people claim, nor do they have mental illnesses (Alvarez & Bachman, 2019). This stereotype fails to hold them accountable and excuses their behavior to factors outside their control. Essentially, terrorists are typically the individuals who divest from societal norms and values.
Terrorism is difficult to combat and requires the input of international bodies, national and state governments, as well as citizens. The UN aims to fight terrorism by addressing the conditions that cause it such as human rights violation, including socioeconomic marginalization, political exclusion, and religious discrimination. On a national level, the US tackles terrorism by prosecuting apprehended terrorists, criminalizing the funding of terrorist organizations, and improving border security. Citizens can help to prevent terrorism by reporting suspicious acts to the authorities.
Reference
Alvarez, A., & Bachman, R. D. (2019). Violence: The enduring problem (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.