Terrorism as Crime Essay and Case Study

This document presents an in-depth analysis of terrorism, arguing that it is primarily a group, organizational, and social phenomenon rather than an individual psychological issue. It explores the factors that contribute to the formation of terrorists, emphasizing the role of collective identity, social and political grievances, and religious influences. The document includes a detailed case study of the September 11, 2001 attacks, examining the events, influencing factors, and objectives of the terrorists. It concludes that terrorism is a collective act driven by group motives and ideologies, rather than individual grievances, and highlights the importance of understanding the social and psychological dynamics of terrorist groups.

Terror as crime
essay and Case
Study

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART 2: CASE STUDY................................................................................................................13
September 11, 2001 case facts...................................................................................................13
Factors influencing the entire event...........................................................................................15
Objective of terrorists behind the occurred incident..................................................................19
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................21
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Terrorism: “It is not individual psychology, but group, organizational, and social psychology,
with a particular emphasis on “collective identity,” that provides the most powerful lens to
understand terrorist psychology and behaviour.”
Terrorism can be defined as act of coercing civilians in a brutal manner for the attainment
of unjustifiable aims and objectives. Present era is dominated by the acts of terror or terrorism.
The era of modern terrorism initiated in the end of 1970 as terrorists community had shown
severe acts that cause to catastrophic death and destruction in the economy (Ridley and Ridley,
2012). There are various philosophies related to the terrorism, behaviour of terrorists and their
psychology. Present study shows critical evaluation of the fact that terrorism is group,
organizational, and social psychology instead of individual psychology. For this aspect, various
philosophies regarding terrorism will be considered along with the viable case incidents of
terrorism attacks (Tokgoz, 2012). On the basis of these provisions cited statement will be
evaluated in order to draw valid conclusion.
Terrorism
Terrorism can be defined as unauthorized or unofficial use of violence and intimidations
in the pursuit of political objectives. Terrorism in an international problem in present global
community. It is because, it had affected various countries either in direct or indirect manner. In
accordance with the US state department terrorism consists four elements i.e. threat of violence,
political objective, direct attack on civilians and last is perpetrated by a supporting a country or
countries (Archetti, 2012). In accordance with the Horgan and Braddock (2011), terrorism is
illegal use of violence or force against individuals and proper in order to coerce civilians
government for the attainment of political and social purpose. Main target of terrorism are
government, corporations, political parties, ethnic or religious groups and media enterprises.
Consequences of terrorism are always catastrophic (Horgan and Braddock, 2011). It is because;
it does not only kill people but also destroys the economy and livelihood of civilians. Individual
and groups involved in such activities are treated as terrorists.
Study of Pearse (2015) shows that existence of terrorists is in all over the world.
Examples of major terrorism community in world are Islamic State, Al-Qaeda, Taliban, Boko
Haram and al-Nusra Front (Pearse, 2015). This aspect shows that terrorism does not belong to
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single community. Furthermore, there are the few individuals that operate alone but mostly
operate in a group. It is not possible to track down these severe criminals because they operate
with a low profile that no one can point out them from the regular public. According to Pearse
(2015) there are various countries that have harboured terrorism worldwide and most of the
terrorist organization are radical fundamentalists who commit such actions on the name of their
religion (Pearse, 2015). Depending on the country and their political system there are various
types of terrorism such as civil disorder, political terrorism, official or state terrorism, passive
terrorism, data terrorism. Main purpose of terrorists is to incite the counter terrorism by the state
in order to polarize the population.
Factors that constitutes a terrorist
There are few factors that constitutes a terrorist, classification can be as social, political
and religious. As per the detailed study of statements, the terrorist activities are mostly motivated
due to social and political gap in the society. According to Perl (2010), most of the people are
attracted towards terrorism at situation where they have efforts to attain justice against any
wrong historical event. For such historical event, various individuals were involved in terrorism
in order to support their community (Perl, 2010). In addition to this, they had attempted to make
damage to the innocent civilians despite of fact they were not involved in the misconduct. In
terrorism individuals do not think as per the rationale approach while conduct of act they firmly
believe on the facts and values cited by their community. This fact is clarified in by considering
the group activities of major terrorist group such as Taliban and Al-Qaeda (Shanty, 2011). In
other aspect, it can be said that the political and social avoidance that person has faced in the past
motivates him to pursue a terrorist activity. For example, the person has been stripped from their
land in past and human rights were ignored by the government authorities. These kinds of
incidences forces person to take part in terrorism activities. In addition to this, such aggression is
also transferred to the coming generation and their relative parties. They are motivated to take
revenge for such misconduct by making injury to the innocent parties (Carlton and chaerf, 2015).
Medina and Hepner (2013) has said that the dissatisfaction from such activities impacts the belief
of person in negative manner. In addition to this, in situation where person started belief that the
violence will threat the society and forces to bring change so that his motive can be
accomplished. It is also referred as a belief that violent means the justified end of the pain and
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problem (Medina and Hepner, 2013). Number of terrorists has confessed in the history that
before choosing the terrorism activities and violence they have deliberated in critical manner and
analysed they had no choice rather than violence. It is because of their surrounding and collective
approaches adopted by their community. Due to this aspect they were forced to grow up as a
terrorists and they do not have option for their livelihood (Medina and Hepner, 2013). Even in
various countries, children are educated and trained with this terrorism. They live their entire life
in such environment and as a consequence they are firm towards to the objectives of their
community.
Ridley and Ridley (2012) has critically asserted that the condition of lack of political
presence is also one of key aspect in constitution of a terrorist. The circumstances where
complaints and needs of society are ignored by political aspects forces person to adopt violence.
It is one of critical issue or barrier in democracies that impacts belief of person (Ridley and
Ridley, 2012). For example, in the early of year 2011, the government of UK has introduced a
new fiscal policies without consulting the public. People were in against of the policy so they
were protesting in respect to subject but British government has not considered it as critical
aspect. Tokgoz (2012) has contended that it has created a political violence situation which may
also turn into terrorist response. If democratic aspects allows citizens to participate in decision
making process then governments must ensure about it in order to avoid such negative outcomes
(Tokgoz, 2012).
As per the Archetti (2012) view, the explanations and justifications of terrorist in
historical events indicates that the terrorism may be difficult to taste. But terrorist groups are
formed on the basis of historical events by society and political aspects. Religious and over
concern are also factors that forces individual to adopt terrorist activities (Archetti, 2012). The
forces of religion aspects means, most of terrorist groups are established with a motive to make a
state of their religion. For example, ISIS targets young and helpless people of Muslim religion to
expand its reach. ISIS key motive is to create an Islamic state that will rule the world. It indicates
that the religion is also one of key aspect that constitutes a terrorist. Horgan and Braddock (2011)
has critically explained that the over concern of groups also forces individual to take part in
terrorism activities. Most of the people are over concerned about their land and fear that other
will destroy it for personal benefits (Horgan and Braddock, 2011). For example, in 1980 the IRA
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(Irish Republican Army) has said that they attracted to England because they realize that their
land was inhabited by British sovereign. Another example, Osama Bin Laden has stated in the
declaration of war against America that he believes U.S. troops has created a horror conditions in
the Saudi Arabia due as it is an Islamic state. It clearly indicates that the over-concern, social
and political injustice are key factors that constitutes a terrorist.
Terrorism as individual and collective identity
Individuals vs Group Psychology
Terrorism is diverse approach and it is not easy to determine factors of its constitution. It
is because; terrorists aren't likely to volunteer as experimental subject and examination of their
activities can lead to the erroneous subjects.
In accordance with the viewpoint of Pearse (2015), explanations of terrorism at the level
of individual psychology is insufficient in order to gain understanding that why individuals are
involved in such kind of actions. In addition to this, terrorists are psychologically normal in the
sense of not being clinically psychotic (Pearse, 2015). It is because; they are neither depressed
nor they have any crazy fantasies. Research of Perl (2010) shows that terrorists groups not
considers the individual who not emotionally stable as there is high risk of security. However,
there is multiplicity in the individual motivations. Some individuals are motivated to attain
power while some are motivated to take revenge from the targeted group (Perl, 2010). Within
each group there are motivational differences in the group members to different degrees on the
basis of their interests. In addition to this, self serving actions are inspired by the ideology of
group.
As per the viewpoint of Shanty (2011) terrorism is not individual psychology but a social,
organizational or group psychology because it mainly emphasized on the collective identity. This
aspect provide most powerful lens for the understanding of terrorist psychology and behavior
(Shanty, 2011). For some terrorist groups this collective identity is formed so early so that
“hatred is bred in the bone.” significance of the collective identity cannot be ignored in terrorism
because socio cultural context of terrorism determines the balance between individual and
collective identity. In this aspect Carlton and chaerf, (2015) had stated that terrorists had
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subordinated their individual identity for the formation of collective identity in order to serve the
purpose of group (Carlton and chaerf, 2015).
According to the interviews conducted with the Middle East terrorist, collective identity
is formed very early. It is because, they are influenced by the representative quotations from
nationalist separatist terrorists in Fatah. As per the psychologists who had studies terrorist groups
had stated that, it will be mistake to label terrorists as evil or psychologically deranged (Medina
and Hepner, 2013). Furthermore, terrorists are different from the other only on the basis of their
ability to switch off the sense of empathy in service to their beliefs and goals. Generally terrorists
are teenagers or young individuals. This part of life is considered to be a psychologically difficult
period. It is because; in this period an individual became aware of themselves with a sense of
vulnerability and fragility (Cooney and Bigman, 2015). As a consequence, they are required to
provided with the strong need of identity and belonging. Psychology shows that adolescents are
easily attracted to the popular group and become there follower. Similarly, in terrorism, youth is
provoked to join the community for the sake of nation, religion or any political objectives.
Terrorists are not individually concerned for the objective of terrorism (Campbell, 2015). They
are only motivated for the attainment of group objective which is cited by their leaders or
belongings.
Study of Kron, Braun and Heinke (2015) shows that terrorism is genetic in population in
modern era. It is because, eve individuals are aggressive even they have not faced any kind of
attack or negative aspect. They are in terrorism because their ancients or elders had told them
that targeted group had done wrong with them (Kron, Braun and Heinke, 2015). For this reason,
they are grown with the mind set that they have duty to take revenge from the targeted group.
This approach shows that adolescents are vulnerable to the religious and political orientation.
Furthermore, belonging to a particular religion or terrorist group in that religion provides a like
minded community and supporting beliefs (Karaffa, 2015).
In this aspect Kron, Braun and Heinke (2015) had stated that the sense of identity and
purpose is significantly intoxicating that it can convince individual subconsciously to let go their
empathy and feeling towards the other individuals (Comer, 2010). In addition to this, they are
motivated by their leaders and member to get engaged in these actions after completion of their
training. In this training period, transformation of human mind set is done so logically that they
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think they are dealing with the objects. In accordance with the Cooney and Bigman (2015) due to
such training, individual lost their identity and tend to adopt the view and beliefs provided by the
group (Cooney and Bigman, 2015). These training programs make them brutal and dishearten
due to which they are not concerned about the injury of innocent persons. Leaders of the
terrorists groups de-humanise the members of other groups and consider them as collective
instead of individuals. Furthermore, they consider each member of the group responsible for
their criminal actions (Tofangsaz, 2015). With this collective approach morality is withdrawn
and behavior of terrorist get neutralized.
Cited ideology of terrorists influenced them to consider world in an abstract (intellectual
manner) instead of considering direct perception (rationale approach). In accordance with the
terrorist mindset world is bifurcated in terms of categories and concepts (Shields and et. Al.,
2015). In addition to this, they develop a dry and rigid outlook which became so significant that
they cut themselves from the immediacy of experience and contact. Further, it also motivates
them to consider other people as units in an abstract in their conceptual and deadly game
(Okamoto and Bladek, 2011).
As per the consideration of the Lint (2015) statements the individual psychology in
context to terrorist are due to improper understanding of psychological factors. Personal belief
and other injustice aspects forces an individual to take part in terrorism activities. In other aspect,
it can be said that the terrorists are psychologically normal in the sense of not being clinically
psychotic (Lint, 2015). It is all about violence activities performed by individual with a motive to
take revenge. Tofangsaz (2015) has also asserted that the most of terrorist activities are
performed by the groups because it requires high amount of finance. Purchase of ammunition
and other tools requires high amount of money and it is not easy task for individual to gather
such amount of money (Tofangsaz, 2015). In terrorist attacks the ideology of groups also
reflects. For example, the after every attack of ISIS, its members issue a message that their key
motive is to expand reach to different nations and rule as a Islamic state in world.
In addition to this, it can be stated that the terrorist groups always ensure that the
members are working with a motive of group goals rather than personal objectives. It helps them
in effective accomplishment of objectives and helps in spreading fear effectively (Alam, 2013).
Post (2010) has also contended that the terrorist groups also percept that the member's identity is
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reflects by the name and objectives of group rather than individual one. Moreover, the risk and
advantages of activities are also functions collectively to actualize the ability of its members. In
group working the leader plays a vital role in accomplishment of activities (Post, 2010). Leaders
performs number of activities that can provide effective identification of external enemy. As per
the view of Shanty (2011), collective identification and establishment of activities also impacts
the perception of members. Without the instructions of leaders the individual activities also gets
influenced. It also reflects that the group psychology is one of significant factor in the terrorism
activities (Shanty, 2011). In the support of this, it can be said that the individual does not have
any kind of violence motive and groups forces them to accomplish violence activities. Osama
Bin Laden was one of great leader that has created a positive identification of objectives and
accomplished recruitment of thousands of young Arab and Muslim youth. Al- Qaeda key focus
was to creating activities that can destruct America from development (Carlton and chaerf,
2015). Al- Qaeda has mostly attacked to the America in order to meet the group objectives. It
also reflects that the terrorism activities are mostly performed with a motive of group. According
to Medina and Hepner (2013), the differences in culture also impacts the perception and
objectives of terrorist groups. It has been determined that the terrorism provides a different
expression in collectivist and individualist cultures.
In addition to this, the individual terrorist activities and identity is derived according to
personal needs and goals (Medina and Hepner, 2013). On the other side, in group terrorist the
activities are classified with a perception of social system. Cooney and Bigman, (2015) has
critically argued that the collective terrorist activities are more likely preferable as compared to
individualist because it provides better opportunities to meet goals. It has also been spotted that
the collective terrorist activities are more focused to attack foreigners because it provides a better
reach to international media (Cooney and Bigman, 2015). With an assistance of international
media attention the collectivist creates a better fear in the world. On the other side, in
individualist terrorism the activities are more likely to attack members of other individualist
cultures. Individualist terrorism feels morally attached with the innocents but the collectivist
attack activities does not have any kind of morale attachment with innocent people (.Campbell,
2015)). Due to activities and training provided by the groups, the individual lost their identity
and tend to adopt the view and beliefs provided by the group.
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International terrorism
International terrorism activity is referred as an act that destruct social aspects at global
level. As per the view of Kron, Braun and Heinke (2015), it creates a fear among the perception
of all people and create social issue. In this, violence activities are used against the criminal laws
of government (Kron, Braun and Heinke, 2015). It has been identified that the terrorism have
strong political impacts which also influences social aspects. Terrorist groups targets people who
are convinced with the statement that society is deeply unfair. These kinds of persons percept
that the normal politics can not overcome the issue therefore, violence acceptance and law
breaking is only choice to resolve situation (Karaffa, 2015). However, Tofangsaz (2015). has
critically stated that the international terrorist activities have various key motives under the acts
of violence. International terrorist groups expects to spread fear at wider scale and get attention
of international media. Negative impacts on the nation economy is also one of critical motive
behind the international terrorist attacks (Tofangsaz, 2015).
It has been identified that there are various outcomes of terrorism on society. Shields and
et. Al. (2015) has asserted that it causes the psychological shock and interrupt the normal life. It
also creates a barriers and conflict situations for the government. In addition to this, international
terrorism is use of violence activity by a group who have connection with foreign power (Shields
and et. Al., 2015)). There are few major participants in global terrorist such as Al-Qaeda, Abu
Nidal Organization, Harakat ul-Ansar and Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. All these groups were
formed for the attainment of community objective for which individual party is not concerned. In
addition to this, individuals involved in such activities were engaged on the facts cited by the
group instead of consideration of their rational focus on this aspect (Okamoto and Bladek,
2011). Aggressive attitude of terrorists is consequence of previous dealings in which they were
not involved but they are acting in brutal manner just because their community, relatives or
surrounding environment is involved in it Lint, 2015). For such actions, they sacrificed their
personal life and belief and act as per the ideology provided by their respective community.
Tofangsaz (2015) has also contended that these kinds of groups has performed various terrorist
activities to impact international social aspects. For example, on 11 September 2001, Al-Qaeda
members has hijacked four passenger aircraft's and crashed them into the World Trade Centre
and the Pentagon (Tofangsaz, 2015). It has provided an international media attention to Al-
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Qaeda. Moreover, the economic system of America has also influenced which impacted the
working of international trade market as well. It has also created a fear among people and
affected the belief of society.
Other than this, it has also been identified that the terrorist groups hire experts to perform
violence acts. For example, most of terrorist are engineers, doctors, graduate students, etc but
they have faced injustice circumstances by government. Terrorist groups takes advantage of such
negative belief and perform various terrorist activities at global level (Alam, 2013). Youth is
provoked by such actions and they are easily influenced to act in a group. In the attack of 9/11,
individual had contributed in terrorism not because they have personal benefit but they were
emotionally and mentally influenced to the motive of the subject matter. In addition to this, they
have even not consider the threat on their life and act so brutally for the destruction of the
economy (Employer Vicarious Liability. 2013).
Employer Vicarious Liability (2013) has critically explained that terrorist activities are
also combination of management aspects such as planning, organizing and implementation.
There are four types of terrorism which are operated at international level. State terrorism means
the forces are used to threaten citizens and normal life (Employer Vicarious Liability. 2013). Bio
terrorism refers to spreading of harmful bio toxic-ants that can impacts the health of citizens.
This aspect is clarified in the attack of Mid-Air Bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. In this attack,
major target of the terrorists were plane as passengers and crew members were killed (Victoroff,
2005). In addition to this, falling detritus from the explosion struck homes in Lockerbee had
caused injuries to the various residents. This aspect depicts that terrorism is a way to create fear
by spread of disease and influence economic development of nation. All such types of terrorism
shows collective approach because these groups were established from the objectives of
attainment of collective aims (Leventhal, 2012). Taylor (2016) has said that the Marco terrorism
impacts social aspects in diverse manner. It is all about spread of drugs and impacts the working
of government. It is also referred as an illegal trade of drugs in international borders.
International terrorist groups are also focusing foundation of Islamic states in order to control
social and economic development of world (Taylor, 2016). Number of international terrorist has
commented that they do it in the favour of Allah. One of the terrorist has said in the interview
that it is not suicide or selfish, it is istishad. Post (2005) has contended that there are various
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ways that can be adopted by international bodies to resolve the issue of terrorism. However, in
this aspect main dilemma in this aspect is absence of individuality in such actions (Post, 2005).
Formulation and implementation of the strict law against terrorism is not effective because on
such provisions counter attacking the government. In this aspect Post (2005) had also stated that
the modernized terrorism is strong and effective all because of their collectivity and unity.
In accordance with the present study conclusion can be drawn that terrorism is more
collective approach in comparison to the individual identity. It is because; study conducted by
the criminologist on the subject matter shows that terrorists are influenced by group motive or
objectives. They do no have personal grievances on the target association or community (Post,
2003). In addition to this, they do not have any feeling towards the humanity and they follow
neutralized approach in which they blindly follow the guidance provided by their head or
leaders. Individual engaged in terrorist activities have collective identity towards their work. This
aspect is represented by their work behavior and objectives (Victoroff, 2005). It is because; they
operate to attain the collective social and political objective instead of consideration of individual
purpose of revenge. In addition to this, in terrorism individual are not able to attain the purpose
of revenge on their sole power and identity. For such activities, they require an entire group
which wholly focused towards the common objective (Taylor, 2016). On the basis of this factor,
terrorism is considered as group philosophy not as individual act.
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