Suicide Terrorism Essay

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Recommended: Motivates Suicide bomber state of mind

Being that the rate suicide terrorism has amplified globally and has taken many lives in the process it can be seen why this issue may be of significance. Furthermore this issue is of relevance because this method of resistance kills more than any other tactic (Ashworth, Clinton, Meirowitz, and Ramsay, 1). Therefore it can be seen as to why this issue is of such important. Many have speculated as to what exactly motivates such behavior. Robert Pape defines suicide terrorist as one who is willing to sacrifice his life as well as the lives of others in hopes to coerce his opponents. Experts , including Pape, have wondered what causes an individual to take such drastic measures. Others have also proposed possible solutions to this issue. It will be seen as to what those solutions are and the possible issues that these solutions may be comprised of. Scott Atran discusses the common misconceptions that people have about suicide terrorism. Those misconceptions are that suicide attackers are all evil, homicidal psychos who are uneducated, live in poverty, and want to achieve anarchy (Atran 5). However contrary to popular belief most of these attackers are neither impoverished, uneducated, or crazy. This kind of misunderstanding hinders and impedes on any chance of finding a solution or realizing that the issue is one that is manageable (Atran 5). Deducing from all the readings it appears that the major cause of suicide terrorism is being occupied by a foreign power and the loss of identity. Though there are several causes to what may inspire someone to commit such acts the focus will be on this one. Pape states that suicide terrorism is a response the requires strategy and more often than not is employed by groups whose sole goal is t... ... middle of paper ... ...e to maintain a certain level of peace for some time. An additional viable resolution is focusing on the lack of opportunity that is available to these individuals. Even though studies have shown that the lack of education is not a strong significant commonality between suicide terrorists this does not mean they are given the opportunity to actualize their potential in the work force to that they may use their education productively. Harrison discusses identity extensively as being a strong factor in why people go to such extreme measures. If that is the case then there should be a channel where people can achieve an identity and status through other means and that is through opportunity. And opportunities such as jobs is not enough if the job does not offer rewarding returns that allow individuals to actually make a comfortable living and offer a fulfilling life.

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