Terrorism A Conceptual Review Beginnings The Causes of Terrorism Sociological Explanations of Terrorism Psychological Explanations of Terrorism Sociological Explanations of Terrorism Intergroup conflict that leads to collective violence. Structural theory: Social conditions (structures) that affect group access to societal benefits. Deprivation theory: Relative deprivation and absolute deprivation. Cases: Leila Khaled and Abu Nidal Psychological Explanations of Terrorism Individual-level explanations. Group-level explanations. Generalized psychological explanations. Case: The Stockholm Syndrome. Acts of Political Will Adversaries in the War on Terrorism Acts of Political Will A rational strategic choice to force change. Terrorism as a tool to achieve a desired goal. Case: Mao Zedong and peoples war. Adversaries in the War on Terrorism Perceptions. Western: A war against Western-style civilization. Non-Western: An imbalance in policies toward Muslim countries vis--vis Israel. Concept: The behavior of the West is the cause of angry sentiment in the Muslim world. Case: CIAs 2007 National Intelligence Estimate warning Iraq is a new training ground for terrorists. Moral Convictions of Terrorists Simplified Good and Evil Seeking Utopia Codes of Self-Sacrifice Moral Convictions of Terrorists Terrorists have an unambiguous certainty in the righteousness of a cause. Concepts: A group concludes it has been morally wronged by an immoral, evil enemy. A group concludes it possesses an inherent moral superiority to an enemy. Simplified Good and Evil A clear line is drawn between good and evil. Violent methods are justified by the ennobled goals of the cause. Seeking Utopia The promised good outweighs present actions. The end justifies the means. Codes of Self-Sacrifice Superior codes of living that cleanse those who follow the code. Case: Germanys Waffen SS. Case: Japans code of Bushido.