Terrorism, an International Issue and Theoretical Perspectives (Essay Sample)

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Terrorism, an International Issue and Theoretical Perspectives
Introduction
The greatest danger faced by most developed states is terrorism. Terrorism has been treated by these states as a global of matter of concern that requires action. This is because of the economic and political interest that these states have around the globe. Terrorism has been and is still describe by most states as an international problem. Since terrorist conduct martial campaigns for political interest it is important for states to have a employ a political response. To understand the issue of terrorism it is important to examine various international relations theories.
Terrorism
Terrorism has different definitions depending on individual’s perception. One of the best definitions of terrorism is violence that is politically influenced in order to destroy the social structure within the international community. Terrorism is one of the major issues that international communities deal with. Terrorism is facilitated by individuals or groups with various interests. The major reason for terrorist attack on developed states is to cause disruption of diplomatic activities and create fear among the population.
Over the recent past terrorism has been a major threat to economic integration and leadership in the developed countries. Increased al-Qaeda attacks to various states such as the United States have led to improvement of security measures. Al-Qaeda attacks against the west can be attributed to the hatred and revenge missions. This issue has also led to increased deployment of military forces in order to handle potential threats to states security. Terrorism is a major threat to the international community over the recent past. Most wars between states are brought by terrorism. Terrorism is brought by conflicts of interest between two or more states.
Conflicts of interests between these states are brought about economic interests such trading policies, factors of production and government policies. Terrorism reduces the economic interests of a country leading to decreased gross domestic product (GDP). In order to deal with terrorism international community’s form strong forces in order to prevent their actions. States affected by terrorist attacks have used their legitimate power to deal with this issue at both the regional and international levels. Terrorism has been a great threat to international trade relations. In order to deal with this issue, states use their power or diplomatic influence within the international community.
States treats terrorist as unlawful individuals that are not supposed to exist or given a chance to violate economic growth and social relations. The war against terrorism ignores the fact that terrorist are trained individuals. They are involved in military battle against multiple cultures. Political theories explain the reason why states have powerful military and political influence within the international community. Realism theory explains the major reason that makes states to use material forces such as military and diplomacy tactics to react to terrorism. Terrorism can only be stopped through the use material forces such as military and diplomacy tactics.
Realism Theory
Realism theory views international relations as a struggle to be powerful in relation to self interest among the states. Individuals perform terrorist attacks due to various reasons. These reasons include removal of military personnel and prisoner’s release. This was seen recently in Iraq. Terrorist engage in unlawful activities in order to stop diplomatic involvement among various states. This can be well explained by the bombing attack that was carried in Spain in order to stop Spanish military engagement in war against Iraq. The nature of international affair is influenced by power notion with state expanding its position on the global stage.
According to this theory power may consists of any factors that facilitates control of one human being over another. In order to preserve power, states tend preserve their power by using martial force through war. According to realism theory, the state acts as the overall actor in political and security governance and no other actor is above this.
This theory excludes the use of international organizations such as non governmental organizations. According to this theory governments strive to ensure continued existence of their individual states. For example single states within the United States form synergies in order to match the authority of the primary nation. Realism theory gives an understanding of states approach to in regard to international relation demeanor. This theory explains the reason as to why states struggle for power.
Realism Theory and Terrorism
Since terrorism has been perceived as act that is aimed at achieving political gain, realism theory provides that it is important to identify the responsible parties. According to this theory determining the individual or group that caused violence is important in order to protect civilians and interest of the country. Political interests of some states play a critical role in security of the international community as a whole. A linkage between terrorism acts and responsible parties is important in international relations. This is because realists believe that the state is the main player in international affairs.
International relation is perceived as an effort to gain power and promote self-preservation. In order for realism theory to facilitate strategy for dealing with terrorist attacks it is important for governmental representatives to identify terrorism as struggle for power. Terrorist are viewed as members of state designated terrorism duties and responsibilities by their representative leaders. Terrorist attacks are funded by the governments in order to disrupt social and economic status within the international community.
Therefore, terrorists act on behalf of their representative state by following specific regulatory measures and systems provided. Since terrorist are funded and supported by the government attacking non state players is likely to fall short. Viewing terrorists as government agents enables super power states to use forceful acts in order to defeat this enemy. Seeing terrorism as states intention to struggle for power and self-protection enables states to deal with these attacks. This situation can be clearly defined by applying realist theory since it provides a basic approach for the need of power and military force.
Dealing with terrorism is a global interest of all states regardless of their human resources. This theory explains the reason to why even states with significant low power react to terrorist attacks. Realism power provides a basic understanding of the need to used forceful material in regard to economic threat. Improvement of security is one of the major concerns for states in dealing with these threats.
Realism theory is built on the importance of states security through the use of power and diplomacy. This theory addresses the issue of terrorism in regard to international relation. This theory provides a better understanding of importance of power and diplomacy in international relations. This theory depicts the reason to why states around the globe compete for power. The likely assumption for competition for power is to improve security measure and reduce possibility of terrorism as attacks
According to this theory, powerful states form policies that other states are likely to confer to regardless of their geographical distance. This theory explains the reason to why developed countries react aggressively to terrorist attacks. In a closer perspective this theory explains as to why the United States retaliated to the September 11 assail. The United States acted to act aggressively because they had the power to do so without having any barriers from other nations. This theory explains the reason as to why state use diplomacy and power in dealing with war. According to this theory states seek security because of self interest.
Terrorism is caused by self interest of retaliation or destroying international relations. This theory explains the reason to why United States uses it power when it comes to security matters. Realists think that when states become powerful than less powerful ones they are likely to use this power to expand its interest in terms of security matters or prosperity. Realism theory explains how power promotes peace among the international community.
This theory explains the reason to why states develop their government systems with an aim of boosting security within their borders. As these states improve their security forces they do it within the context of the super powers. This is done in order to avoid conflict with the superior within the international community. In order to survive against terrorism states need to have survival tactics which include power and diplomacy.
This explains the perception that realist have concerning self defense rather depending on others within the international community. Power promotes peace with the international community hence only the powerful countries can announce war against terrorism. Realism theory explains the reason to why United States as the super-power authorized war against the al-Qaeda. Since terrorism is a global issue and there is need to use force against these attacks, human rights activists do not have any power according to this theory. The war against Iraq and Afghanistan was justified in order to promote states security.
Realism theory explains the reason why some states use political power in international relations. States exercise political power through the use of threats in order to mitigate disadvantages. States that are associated with terrorism attacks ...