Paper Topic:

Relate recent changes in public policy towards terrorism and terroristic acts with respect to the basic principles of social conflict theory.

Running Head : PUBLIC POLICY , TERRORISM AND SOCIAL CONFLICT THEORY

Name

CR501

Changes in Public Policy towards Terrorism Based on Social Conflict Theory

The issue of terrorism is not only a national security concern but is one that impedes public and social institutions . The recent assassination by suspected militants of Pakistan 's former prime minister and premiere opposition leader Benazir Bhutto has prompted riots and violence in several of Pakistan 's cities prompting military action (Masood Gall , 2007 . This has raised fears regarding the strength of the democratic processes , the attack

happening only two weeks away from the country 's national elections . For its citizenry , the concern is about being able to rebuild confidence in its economy and social institutions and addressing concerns regarding the disparities that have also led to social conflicts . The issue is particularly important to a country like Pakistan who aside from being nuclear-armed , has been as a critical to curtail international terrorist organizations and to promote peace and economic development not only in Pakistan but the Middle East as well

This scenario highlights the need to develop public policies that ensure security against terrorism , the protection of social institutions and the resolution of conflicts that create economic and social disparities utilized to motivate and justify violence and dis Using social conflict theories , it can be then theorized the political instability in many countries where terrorism has become prevalent is influenced by economic control of terrorist-linked groups . Hossein-Zadeh (2005 ) points out that in many instances support of terrorist or militant action is considered as political or economic statements Altheide (2006 ) supports this idea and further cites these acts to also aim to impact the public emotionally , impact social policies and force reaction from government . In an assessment made by Bergesen and Han (2005 ) of the influence of terrorism in public policies , they cited that it has prompted mobility-restrictive policies , justification of more intensive surveillance measures and extra-territorial policing efforts which , aside from the last extra-territorial policing , have deterred globalization efforts and confidence in international political partnerships

West and Orr (2005 ) believe that this has cultivated distrust not only amongst nations but also which communities since many of the measures have created interest in cultural or ethnic groups linked to terrorist groups (Currie , 2007 . On the other hand , Imai (2006 , points out that this has also created views that fears regarding terrorist are motivated by efforts to limit the economic competition from countries linked to terrorism . There has also been contention that efforts are motivated to justify extra-territorial involvement by Western countries in the Middle East . In a similar study conducted by Chancer and McLaughlin (2007 they point out that many public policies concerning terrorist and insurgent threats have , in hindsight , have proven to be more damaging than beneficial . Particular examples that their study point out to policies on developing intelligence information , for example , have invariably been questioned in succeeding administrations , showing as well variability in public opinion for such policies

Imai (2006 ) believes that even though...

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