Globalization's Influence on Terrorism: A Complex Relationship

Defining Terrorism - Defining terrorism is challenging. Historically, terror meant violence employed by the state Against citizens - Today, generally means - Violence by non-state groups/networks to achieve political ends - Usually rooted in a perceived ideological, ethnic, religious grievance that is Longstanding - Designed to be shocking, disruptive, and unconventional - May draw little distinction between hard and soft targets Typology of Terrorism According to Motivations - Left-wing - Right-wing - Ethno-nationalist/separatist - Religious/Sacred Motivations of Individuals Joining Terrorist Organizations - Feel angry, alienated, or disenfranchised - Believe that current political involvement doesn’t give power to effect real change - Identify with perceived victims of the social injustice they are fighting - Feel the need to act rather than just taking about the problem - Believe that engaging in violence against the state is not immoral - Have friends or family sympathetic to the cause Globalization & Terrorism

- Globalization can be a source of grievance for terrorist organization - Tools/technologies that facilitate communications and trade also facilitates Global coordination of terrorist networks - Media/communication technologies enhance impact and resonance of terrorist Attacks - Globalization also makes us aware of the experiences of those throughout the World - Creates possibilities for cross-cultural understanding - Enables us to see injustice that might crystalize into hatred Counterterrorism - Diplomacy: Persuasion/incentives to compel foreign governments and international Organizations to target terrorist activities - Mobilization of NGOs: Promote international law, education about causes of terrorism - Law enforcement: Greater coordination and provision of hardware, training, and Information to police potential terrorist activities - Financial control: Freezing material support for terrorism - Use of military force: Air strikes, invasion, occupation, etc