Understanding Terrorism

Social science has not yet developed any exclusive theory for the clear understanding of the phenomenon of terrorism. But some theoretical approaches produced by political and international studies, cultural anthropology, religion, communications and information technology, can help us to understand it. In order to comprehend the nature of terrorism revolutionary political ideologies sketch a frame work. In this respect 19th century idea of Anarchism is considered as an original idea and point of motivation for today’s terrorist actions.  This ideology elaborates the terrorism as a goal-oriented action to fight for the rights of industrial working class.

Marxism also believes in aggressive and forceful means for total change in favour of the suppressed class of society (proletariats). The aggressive actions for change introduced by this ideology were warfare, rebellion and seizure of state by working class.
Anti-colonist movements of 20th century for the right of self determination also contributed techniques to the phenomenon of terrorism. This movement also verifies the violent actions as goal-oriented actions. The early years of the 20th Century anti-colonial movements for the rights of self-determination are an example of the movements full of violent actions. Anti-colonial insurgencies asserted terrorism as weapons of the poor. Even after the decolonilization of Arab territory this tactic is still applied by the Arab countries against the economic, cultural and political imperialism of great powers particularly in the Middle East.

Criminology illustrates that about half of the major terrorist actions in the history of world and half of the violent movements are instigated by religious groups. These religious doctrines inspire the people for militant religion to promote God’s plans. Today, the target of militant religion in its different versions is secularization, modernization and westernization.

Although in the final analysis terrorism is a political phenomenon yet some terrorism studies employ theoretical and methodological tools from the field of economics. There are 4 well suited economic concepts, which help us to understand approach of terrorism (i) rational choice theory of terrorism (ii) macro terrorism (iii) micro terrorism (iv) political economy of terrorism.

This rational choice theory can help us to understand the action reaction process between terrorists and the state. Similarly, the micro terrorism investigates the costs and benefits of terrorist activity at the level of individual actors. This concept reveals that individuals join terrorist movements in view of cost-benefit analysis. The expected benefit might be in the form of financial rewards, or elevated status within the terrorist organization or seizure of state’s power, appointment to public office if the group seizes political power, employment, social service or even promise for heaven. On the other hand, political economy gives a detailed account of the root causes of terrorism on political, social and economic levels such as weak governance, poor institution and inhibiting economic development.

Currently, the connection between the processes of globalization to terrorism is a widespread debate. In this regard, the main linking point between globalization and terrorism is rich-poor dichotomy. The control of rich class over all political and economic resources creates a sense of frustration and aggression in society and leads to terrorist retaliatory actions against the suppressive nations. Besides, Information and Technological globalization helps rapid transformations of news, ideas, culture, capital and weapons technology across the border, this free flow fastens expansion of terrorist networks and actions.

In line with social research, frustration and aggression are primary causes of social upsets. This state of mind comes out of governments’ alienating policies. Along with frustration-aggression hypothesis, the hypothesis of relative deprivation also comments on the social causes of terrorism. Nullifying the well-known impression that poverty, illiteracy and economic underdevelopment causes militancy and terrorism in society, this hypothesis backs up the notion that it’s actually social and political set up that influences one’s behaviour. Keeping with this concept, this idea supports social transformation movements by groups so as to achieve all social status, opportunities and advantages, which they are deprived of in comparison to others.

A social psychologist N.Knuston suggests that when individuals feel disappointment with society, a feeling of rage and helplessness appears in the form of rejection for the roles and values arranged for them by their family, society and community and rather performing their duties and responsibilities they contrarily resort to terrorism. This concept is known as the Negative Identity Hypothesis.

For renowned Psychologist W.Caratyton terrorism is an attempt to acquire or maintain power or control by intimidation. This concept is also described by other social psychologists like Jerrold M.Post, Richard M.Pearlstein in the form of The Narcissistic Rage Hypothesis. According to this hypothesis “individuals whose personality development is shaped by a particular type of psychological damage (narcissistic injury) during childhood, they experience specific kind of psychological mechanisms such as; ‘grandiose self’ that produces individuals who are sociopathic, arrogant and lacking in regard for others. And ‘idealized parental ego’ produces a condition of helpless defeatism, and narcissistic defeat that can lead to reactions of rage and a wish to destroy the source of narcissistic injury. In case of no counter balance for these psychological conditions, they turn in to the most aggressive, and threatening personality. These individuals, who have included Hitler, need an outside enemy to blame for their own inadequacies and weaknesses. Thus, they are drawn to terrorist groups.