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Article
Terrorism from Above and Below in the Age of Globalization
Sociology Mind (2011)
  • Asafa Jalata, University of Tennessee - Knoxville
Abstract

This paper explains how the intensification of globalization as the modern world system has increased the oc- currence of terrorism from above (i.e. state actors) and from below (i.e. non-state actors). We cannot adequately grasp the essence and characteristics of modern terrorism without understanding the larger cultural, social, eco- nomic, and political contexts in which it takes place. Since terrorism has been conceptualized, defined, and theo- rized by those who have contradictory interests and objectives and since the subject matter of terrorism is com- plex, difficult, and elusive, there is a wide gap in establishing a common understanding among the scholars of terrorism studies. Most experts on the subject look at this issue from a narrow perspective by ignoring the reality that terrorism ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ terrorism in relation to different forms of terrorism, and explains how it has increased with the intensification of globalization. Second, taking the events of 9/11 and the case of Ethiopian state terrorism, the piece explores the general impacts of all forms of terrorism.

Keywords
  • Terrorism,
  • Globalization,
  • 9/11,
  • Capitalism,
  • Terrorism Studies,
  • Genocide,
  • Colonial Terrorism
Publication Date
Spring February 1, 2011
Publisher Statement
Published in Sociology Mind
Citation Information
Asafa Jalata. "Terrorism from Above and Below in the Age of Globalization" Sociology Mind Vol. 1 Iss. 1 (2011)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/asafa_jalata/30/