Social Causes of Terrorism in the Arab Society (From Understanding Terrorism: Analysis of Sociological and Psychological Aspects, P 132-143, 2007, Suleyman Ozeren, Ismail Dincer Gunes, et al., eds. -- See NCJ-225410)

• NCJ Number: 225422
• Author(s): Diab M. Al-Badayneh
• Date Published: 2007
• Length: 12 pages
• Sale Source: IOS Press
• Publication Format: Book Chapter
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: Netherlands

Annotation

This chapter identifies the social factors in Arab society that have led to terrorists’ behaviors.

Abstract

One of the social causes of terrorism in Arab societies is the lack of opportunities for human development, because of a lack of resources committed to developing knowledge, vocational skills, and social capabilities. Factors that impede human development are the lack of freedom and resources that would enable individuals to prepare for and pursue a variety of vocational, social, and economic paths, particularly for women. A related social deficit in Arab society is the absence of personal and societal resources that give people a feeling of safety. Feelings of insecurity stem from the inability to afford or gain access to health services, food, environmental protections, and government services. Fear and insecurity are also prompted by government corruption, suppression of grievances, and the violation of human rights by police and government security officials. Terrorist behavior stems from efforts to cope with abusive and restrictive environments that leave few alternatives for the development of socialized, fulfilling behavior. In Arab society, terrorists come from an at-risk population that has suffered from early damage to self-esteem and socialized development. Those recruited into terrorism in Arab society tend to be young men who are unemployed, poor, politically inactive, insecure, socially alienated, and with low self-control. 2 tables and 27 references