Essay on "Define Terrorism"

Essay 4 pages (1160 words) Sources: 0

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Terrorism

Defining Terrorism

Environmentalists have differing views and values regarding the sale and use of sports utility vehicles (SUVs), compared to the manufacturers and owners. To the environmentalists, owners of SUVs are polluters, harming the environment for their own enjoyment and pleasure. For the SUV manufacturers there is the argument that the vehicles and by extension the companies, are fully compliant with all legislation. It may also be argued that while some environmental groups may not like SUVs, many consumers do like them, otherwise they would not sell. The SUV owners themselves cite the desire for a large comfortable vehicle that they see as a car, which is provided for by the current commercial environment (Shpritz 1). A significant problem appears to be the way in which legislation controls, or fails to control, fuel efficiency on SUV's. Even the environmentalists recognize that the problem is with the legislation; one environmental supporter, Jeff Barrow, states that the problem is the way these vehicles "fall between the cracks on the federal fuel efficiency standards" (Shpritz 1). Despite this, there have been numerous attacks on SUVs by environmentalists, setting them alight and vandalizing dealerships associated with their sale (Shpritz 1; Tamaki et al. 1). In an article outlining the events Shpritz (1) as referred to the attacks as "domestic terrorism," while Tamaki (et al. 1) refers to the attackers as vandals acting in the name of environmentalism, these are two very different terms, used to refer to similar acts. There is little doubt that the environmentalists acting in order to try and make their message heard, possibly out of frustration, and using acts of violence against property to gain attention. However, is it fair to call those who are simply fighting for their view to be heard as domestic terrorist, or is this a fair label considering the amount of damage they are causing and the potential to create fear in those who see the acts?

The problem of determining whether or not those who set fire to the SUV's and damaged the dealerships are domestic terrorists, or may be defined as activists, rebels or counter terrorists, is difficult. The first stage is to consider exactly what is meant by terrorism. There is no singular fully encompassing definition of terrorism, Schmidt and Joungman in a book entitled political terrorism, found more than 109 different definitions for the meaning of terrorism. In order to identify a consensus on the meaning of the term, they undertook a survey of the definitions to identify characteristics on which the different definitions all agreed (Schmidt and Joungman 5). 83.5% all included the requirement for there to be violence or force, 65% required there to be a political element, 51% included the need for the act to focus on fear and place an emphasis on creating terror, 47% cited the need for it to create a threat, and 41.5% included consideration of the psychological effects and anticipated reactions that would be associated with acts of terrorism (Schmidt and Joungman 5). 37.5% stated that they would be a, discrepancy between the target and those who became big teams, and 32% stated that it had to be an intentionally planned and organized act (Schmidt and Joungman 5).

When examined this context the attacks on the SUVs are compliant with almost all of these elements. There is certainly violence with the vehicles being set on fire, and in undertaking these actions there is an implied threat that it will carry on, especially… READ MORE

How to Reference "Define Terrorism" Essay in a Bibliography

Related Essays:

Defining Terrorism Term Paper

Terrorism

Encyclopedias and dictionaries define terrorism in the easy to understand language but in reality it is a concept that is hard to grasp. In the last two decades terrorism… read more

Term Paper 15 pages (4573 words) Sources: 30 Topic: Terrorism / Extremism / Radicalization

---

Terrorism Represents the Organized Use Essay

Terrorism represents the organized use of terror with the purpose of intimidating particular groups. Its complex nature makes it difficult for the act to be defined by the international community… read more

Essay 6 pages (1727 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Terrorism / Extremism / Radicalization

---

How Is Terrorism Different From Violent Crime and Insurgency Ethno National Terrorism? Essay

terrorism different from violent crime and Insurgency / Ethno-National Terrorism

How is terrorism different from violent crime and insurgency

Terrorism has become one of the most discussed subjects in terms… read more

Essay 5 pages (1618 words) Sources: 5 Topic: Terrorism / Extremism / Radicalization

---

Terrorism What Was Once Seen on Television Term Paper

Terrorism

What was once seen on television as part of temporary news broadcasts is now more and more present to even become a global threat. Terrorism is "the threat or… read more

Term Paper 7 pages (2297 words) Sources: 15 Style: APA Topic: Terrorism / Extremism / Radicalization

---

Terrorism Defining and Justifying Term Paper

Terrorism

Defining and Justifying Terrorism

Terrorism has been around since Biblical times. In about 167 B.C. A disenfranchised group of Jews, called the Maccabees, went up into the mountains around… read more

Term Paper 2 pages (685 words) Sources: 3 Style: APA Topic: Terrorism / Extremism / Radicalization

---

View 100+ more related papers  >>