Culture Crash: Analyzing the Implications of Transnational Terrorism

Abstract

By discussing and comparing three transnational terrorist events - 9/11, 11-M, and July 7 - similarities and differences emerge among them, which are the focus of this study. By comparing the causes of and responses to these attacks, and postulating underlying ideologies revealed by those comparisons, findings can be applied to potential future situations involving terrorist acts or groups. Learning by self-examination is an important step in every nation's improvement of global policy, and determining possible causes of terrorism could be useful in actually preventing terrorism. I suggest causes of 9/11, 11-M, and July 7, and demonstrate that the three attacks may have actually had similar causes, regardless of apparent differences in time, place, and global climate. The conclusions from these comparisons offer potential courses of action to prevent terrorism in the future. Examining responses to terrorist actions serves to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of particular responses, thereby offering guidance as to the best courses of action to take in the instance of a new attack. The evaluation of American, Spanish, and British reactions to terrorism, both within governments and populations, shows that America had the most aggressive response in terms of military action. The response of the Spanish population was an example of the power of public wrath, in ousting the incumbent Conservative party in favor of the Socialist party. The response of the British people and government, a stoic and unwavering determination to retain normalcy, was admirable and ought to be emulated by Western nations unfortunate enough to be attacked in the future. The underlying ideologies contributing to the responses are rich in value though difficult to change. By recognizing these differences among one another, countries such as the United States, Spain, and Great Britain may be able to better cooperate in international matters in the future. After comparing the individualist nature of America to the more communal nature of Western European nations such as Spain and Great Britain, a discussion of secular theocracy follows, applying the topics discussed earlier to political figures in the War on Terror. In all of these comparisons, a framework is laid for what political behaviors should be lauded in the event of terrorism, and what behaviors should be avoided, both on the national and transnational level. Through the exploration and analysis of these three large-scale terrorist events, a broader understanding of terrorism can be gained, as well as a more cohesive view of the supposed "differences" among cultures of the West and cultures of the Middle East.

Notes

This item is only available in print in the UCF Libraries. If this is your thesis or dissertation, you can help us make it available online for use by researchers around the world by STARS for more information.

Thesis Completion

2007

Semester

Spring

Advisor

Jungblut, Bernadette

Degree

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

College

College of Sciences

Degree Program

Political Science

Subjects

Arts and Sciences -- Dissertations, Academic; Dissertations, Academic -- Arts and Sciences

Format

Print

Identifier

DP0022186

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Document Type

Honors in the Major Thesis

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS