Structuralist Perspectives On Terrorism
Socially, terrorism is viewed as a deviant act against the public. From a structuralist perspective, terrorism is a result in a faulty public structure. Structuralist believe terrorism is a result of society’s failure to include a social group within its structure, especially politically. In western politics, terrorism is often defined as an unlawful use of violence, force, and intimidation in the pursuit of political goals. It often is aimed at civilians in order to gain a response from a government or an organization.
The main actors that participate in terrorism are civilian groups or individuals fighting against a current ideology or form of government. An example of this is Al-Qaeda, a militant Sunni Islamist multi-national organization, better known to western politics as a terrorist organization. Al-Qaeda was formed by civilians who agree with Osama Bin Laden’s grievances with the local government and believed terrorism (in the name of their religion) would be the best way to reach their aspirations. This does not mean that government leaders cannot be terrorists. By the vague definition of terrorism …show more content…
These goals motivate leaders of terrorist groups and the people recruited by terrorist groups to perform extreme acts of violence. The motives of terrorists frequently reflect political and religious objectives. An example of this is Al-Qaeda’s goal to reshape the Muslim world by replacing secular states with a single Islamic political leadership. Terrorists use unconventional violent tactics to achieve the goals they set. They also use tactics to inspire others to perform terrorist attacks. Tactics like suicide bombers, bombs, and mass shooting are often used. Terrorist use any tactic that causes a large amount of civilian harm with little organization. For instance, recent attacks in Syria organized by ISIS, like executions style killings and bombing, are often to harm civilian and intimidate
The main actors that participate in terrorism are civilian groups or individuals fighting against a current ideology or form of government. An example of this is Al-Qaeda, a militant Sunni Islamist multi-national organization, better known to western politics as a terrorist organization. Al-Qaeda was formed by civilians who agree with Osama Bin Laden’s grievances with the local government and believed terrorism (in the name of their religion) would be the best way to reach their aspirations. This does not mean that government leaders cannot be terrorists. By the vague definition of terrorism …show more content…
These goals motivate leaders of terrorist groups and the people recruited by terrorist groups to perform extreme acts of violence. The motives of terrorists frequently reflect political and religious objectives. An example of this is Al-Qaeda’s goal to reshape the Muslim world by replacing secular states with a single Islamic political leadership. Terrorists use unconventional violent tactics to achieve the goals they set. They also use tactics to inspire others to perform terrorist attacks. Tactics like suicide bombers, bombs, and mass shooting are often used. Terrorist use any tactic that causes a large amount of civilian harm with little organization. For instance, recent attacks in Syria organized by ISIS, like executions style killings and bombing, are often to harm civilian and intimidate