Introduction
Arguably, there is no doubt that terrorism in the 21st century has become more dangerous and bigger issue in the all world. Terrorism refers to use of violence and a threat against civilians as a way of drawing attention to a certain issue. Hence it is both a strategy and a tactic of certain groups. The most dangerous and deadly terrorist attacks in the history of the world took place in this century. In the globalised world, terrorism activities have been made easy. For example, the use of airplanes is absolutely outrageous and new. Actually, terrorism has affected international relation in many ways. Since the beginning of the twenty-first century, terrorism has been caused by four main factors: a boom in technologies, change in cultures, economic explanations, and the power of religion. Therefore, with increasing threats of terrorism international states and organizations have come up with many ways to stop this phenomenon, this include educating people, improving the security and utilizing other technological equipments to detect the terrorist plans.
Causes of terrorism in the globalised 21st century
According to Moghadam(2006) terrorism exists in the world due to inequalities in the globe. Life has never been fair, in most parts of the world, there are class of the have-not and the haves. Differences in social, political, religious and economic incite the contempt, discrimination and inequality. In the 21st century, advancement of technology has become the order of the day. From the advancement of computers, global popularity of Internet, missiles, air shuttles and other weapons, terrorists too utilizes technology. Technologies possess incredible power and capabilities for worst or for better. Terrorism in this case is for the worst; it has greatly advanced the means to committing terrorist acts (Randall, 2009).
Technology and globalization has unlocked doors for terrorist to utilize it to their advantage. On daily basis hi-tech gadgets and machines are illegally manufactured, moreover the insecurity of Internet has enabled terrorists to communicate so easily, hack into security files of many governments and use them to plot attacks on innocent civilians (Bjorgo, 2005). This seemingly shows that as the level of technology advances, terrorist acts too flourish. The hacking of nation’s security system enables terrorists to seize advantage of each week points available in the region. Study shows that terrorists are extremely advanced when it comes to using all sorts of technology (Keet, 2003).
As a matter of fact technology is a double edged sword; it helps the terrorists as well as the security forces. In the twenty-first century, improved technology provides equal opportunities to both counter-terrorists squad and terrorists. In real sense, technological advancement and globalization has power to destroy as well as to advance terrorism actions. In the long-run it simply summarizes to a question of which one of its impacts prevails first.
Another cause of terrorism in the globalised 21st century is issues to do with cultural changes. Scholars in the globalised era assert that terrorism in most cases takes place as a response to alienation of culture fuelled by cultural conflict rather than response to specific culture of a country. Individuals may feel that the globalization and westernization of culture in the world is an oppression of other cultures. Cultural changes are expected to be interwoven with political ideologies, economic goals and individual incentive (Shimko, 2010).
Terrorists in the globalised world are motivated by forces that try to change their culture. In this scenario, religious and ethnic organizations struggle to protect their identity, extermination, language and beliefs. Political motives can also influence the culture and rise of terrorism; rulers discriminate against other ethnic groups not affiliated to them in terms of economic opportunity, migrations, Immigrations, jobs, resources and global political process (Gale & Radu, 2002). Terrorist see that best action to solve the oppression of minorities it to attack the civilians in different nations. The cultural motives and causes of terrorism can be classified into cohesion, separation and nationalism.
In a more general perspective change in culture as a cause of terrorism in the globalised nations, arise from complex combination of inequality, class, mobilization resources, ethnic strength and political opportunity. Hence the rise of terrorism today is attributed to the struggle by the minority to maintain and preserve their identity and cultural beliefs (Moghadam, 2006). Mostly, the Muslim brotherhood are linked to the acts of terrorism, this is because they believe that if they do not protect their culture, westernization will erode it all.
The power of region is also another cause of terrorism in the world. In the contemporary world, there is freedom of worship, therefore individuals have the right to belief and worship in own way. A distinctive aspect of today’s terrorism is its relationship to religious beliefs, especially to Islam. Islam religion is perceived by militants and scholars, as the strong driving power to terrorism, whether as redemptions or personal empowering for terrorists (Kusher, 2000).
Critically, there is no religion that causes religion directly; it has to be supported by social, political and economic factors. This other factors act as catalyst and primary cause, on the other hand, religion only becomes a way to mobilize and legitimize. In some situations religion can be the sole cause of terrorism in the globalised nations, for example, some religion such as Islam belief in the holy war, hence this lead to a culture of violence in the name of God (Mark, 2005)..
According to Stern Jessica terrorist groups nowadays are formed by leaders who are optimistic. They use religions as a justification and motivational in recruiting individuals to join this organization. She claimed that moral fervor is malformed into complicated organizations that go all-out for power, attention and money. Recently, most Americans believed that Islam fundamentalism is a critical threat to international interests and relations especially in the 21st century (Stern, 2003). Jihad has made Islam be labeled as the terrorist’s religion. Holy war form part of individual who can commit suicidal actions, they believe that actors go directly to heaven; hence they are ready to die in a rage of demolition upon their enemy. To some scholars terrorists are there to misuse Muslim beliefs (Arvind, 2009).
In the twenty-first century, an economic issue does not go unmentioned when dealing with terrorism. Terrorism, can take place anywhere in the world, but is most common in developing communities, furthermore it emerges in communities undergoing rapid modernization (Keet, 2003). Economic differences and changes create conducive conditions for instability, extremist ideologies and emergence of rebellious movement. Numerous nations and communities that support terrorism rebel because they feel deprived.
Probably, most terrorists are totally against the current westernization and globalization of the globe. They view the international array as westernization and nothing substantial comes from it. In fact to many their main target is the United States of America, just because it is the genesis of globalization.
Ways to stop terrorism in the 21st century
Terrorism has become a global issue in the world, therefore it is essential to counter it. Recent history shows that counter-terrorism policies and strategies have been applied without many results. In the process to stop terrorism countries have lost money, lives and opportunities. It is now the time to apply new approaches in stopping it. Most countries confront it with force and the reaction they receive is force despite its rare good results. The best strategy to employ in stopping terrorism in the 21st century is through educating people (Morency, 2008).Terrorist actions will still prolong as long as its accomplishers see it as been effective. The whole world should show the perpetrators that they have not won yet. Nations and governments must be united in condemning such evil and coward actions. Targeting innocent civilians does not have any justification at all.
Educating people on the moral impacts of terrorism will help them not to join or tolerate terrorism at all. In education systems there are many young people who in future will the leaders of many nations. Teaching the young people the core values and morals will stop them from becoming terrorists. Philosophers like Spencer believe that when individuals are educated they become more decent, reasonable and less greedy. Educations have lots of power to tremendously change the minds and thoughts of society regardless of age, sex, religion or gender (Querido, 2009).
As a matter of fact educations helps in understanding and constructing international relations based on reasoning and humanity. World peace and unity in the 21st century depend on positive and thoroughly tested education imparted to its people. The government should take the initiative of educating its people so as to prevent future terrorism (Querido, 2009). Education strengthens the countries inner form of leadership and structure of government hence it reduces the degree of proneness to terrorism.
Terrorism problems and attacks will be eliminated once educational and economic problems are eradicated. Education always begins in the family, then schools, workplace and finally nationwide (Cortright & Lopez, 2007). Parts of education that help in stopping terror include civil organization, political parties, mass media, social organizations as well as nonprofit organization. It should be understood that counter violence has never worked in stopping terrorism; this is because the genesis of violence is violence (Forest, 2007).
Other way of stopping terrorism is by using technology. Nations should ensure that they track all the communication of the terrorists so that they can stop them before they care out an attack. We do not have to stop the use of Internet because terrorist use, the answer to the problem is within the technology (Morency, 2008).
Conclusion
Since the beginning of the twenty-first century, terrorism has been caused by four main factors: a boom in technologies, change in cultures, economic explanations, and the power of religion. Therefore, all nations should come together regardless of race, tribe, nationality nor ethnicity to quail the international thread. The strategies put up should attack on the four main causes (Gale & Radu, 2002). Above all we should counteract and deal on the ideologies that impel individuals to terrorism. Some of the global strategies to stop terrorism include uniting and emphasizing operational fundamentals of denial, educating people, use of technology, diplomacy, dissuasion, defense of rights and freedom of human beings, and deterrence. Furthermore, defeating terrorism in the globe requires engaging diplomacy, international financial, law enforcement and intelligence in a cooperative atmosphere. Actually, terrorism has affected international relation in many ways and should be dealt accordingly.
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