Many comparable definitions of what constitutes as “terrorism” exist today, but Bruce Hoffman provides one of the most complete definitions in his book Inside Terrorism. He affirms that terrorism is (1) violence, or the threat of violence, (2) with political goals, (3) that is carried out by a group (4) or organization, (5) that has widespread ramifications and consequences (Hoffman, 2-3). Although there are a host of potential causes of Islamic terrorism, only one can adequately explain its dissension with the United States: the perpetual class struggle that goes on between the United States and the Middle East. Possible causes of Islamic terrorism include religious beliefs, ideological beliefs, oppressive political regime, etc. The goal of
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An international relations theory that aids in the explanation of this phenomenon is the Economic Structuralism theory, also referred to as the Marxist theory. This theory explains that the economic relationship of states, classes, and material economic factors must be given due consideration when analyzing violence and conflict between states. This theory asserts that the capitalist economic system acts as the primary force that regulates a state’s behavior, and class-conflict is something that naturally arises between the ruling class and the working class because of the economic pressures that appear (Kauppi, Viotti 35). Put simply, the term “capitalist”, from a Marxist perspective, refers to an individual of the ruling-class who owns the means of productions, as opposed to an individual from the working-class who is ostensibly exploited by the ruing-class (Tabb, 2010). According to Marxist ideas, the only force that is powerful enough to conquer the elite class is the entirety of the working-class as a united front. In other words, Marxist theory suggests that violent revolution is one of many possible methods of liberation from the capitalist or ruling class (Kára, …show more content…
Individuals from the Middle East experience inequality, poverty, unemployment, and other poor socioeconomic conditions internally, under their own elitist regimes. It has been widely discussed among scholars and public officials that poverty is a condition that could quite possibly lead an individual to resort to violent solutions. Those who are affluent within their communities and are politically involved are less likely to utilize violence simply because of the risk involved (Lee, 2011). The U.S., through the wars, foreign occupation and interference, exploitation for oil, and Xenophobia towards the Islamic world, has added fuel to that fire, thereby expediting the threat of terrorism (Krieger, Meierrieks, 2010; Lee, 2011). A particular instance in which this class-struggle between a terrorist group and the United States can be seen amidst the war in Afghanistan, a rudimentary, gravely poor nation. After the September 11th attacks on U.S. soil, George W. Bush launched Operation Enduring Freedom against the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. The Taliban collapses, and then mobilizes as an insurgency in order to combat American troops along with other anti-Taliban forces (Sherlick, Bruno, n.d.). Unlike the majority of research that has been done on the various catalysts
An international relations theory that aids in the explanation of this phenomenon is the Economic Structuralism theory, also referred to as the Marxist theory. This theory explains that the economic relationship of states, classes, and material economic factors must be given due consideration when analyzing violence and conflict between states. This theory asserts that the capitalist economic system acts as the primary force that regulates a state’s behavior, and class-conflict is something that naturally arises between the ruling class and the working class because of the economic pressures that appear (Kauppi, Viotti 35). Put simply, the term “capitalist”, from a Marxist perspective, refers to an individual of the ruling-class who owns the means of productions, as opposed to an individual from the working-class who is ostensibly exploited by the ruing-class (Tabb, 2010). According to Marxist ideas, the only force that is powerful enough to conquer the elite class is the entirety of the working-class as a united front. In other words, Marxist theory suggests that violent revolution is one of many possible methods of liberation from the capitalist or ruling class (Kára, …show more content…
Individuals from the Middle East experience inequality, poverty, unemployment, and other poor socioeconomic conditions internally, under their own elitist regimes. It has been widely discussed among scholars and public officials that poverty is a condition that could quite possibly lead an individual to resort to violent solutions. Those who are affluent within their communities and are politically involved are less likely to utilize violence simply because of the risk involved (Lee, 2011). The U.S., through the wars, foreign occupation and interference, exploitation for oil, and Xenophobia towards the Islamic world, has added fuel to that fire, thereby expediting the threat of terrorism (Krieger, Meierrieks, 2010; Lee, 2011). A particular instance in which this class-struggle between a terrorist group and the United States can be seen amidst the war in Afghanistan, a rudimentary, gravely poor nation. After the September 11th attacks on U.S. soil, George W. Bush launched Operation Enduring Freedom against the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. The Taliban collapses, and then mobilizes as an insurgency in order to combat American troops along with other anti-Taliban forces (Sherlick, Bruno, n.d.). Unlike the majority of research that has been done on the various catalysts