Impact of Terrorism

In the first instance, therefore, global terrorism created a kind of global community sharing a common fate, something we had previously considered impossible. Ulrich Beck

The dawn of 21st century witnessed the most dreadful crisis and most alarming challenge of the globe in form of terrorism. Irrespective of their position, power, influence and progress, all the nations across the globe have experienced the disastrous effect on terrorism.

The origin of this phenomenon is still unclear and dates back to the ancient civilization of Rome and Greece, even before them. Human history has bleeded countless times with the lethal weapon of terrorism and the worse part is that till date is still battered by it.

The term terrorism is notoriously difficult to explain. A Chinese philosopher saying goes, “Kill one and frighten thousand”. To put in simple words, terrorism is an indiscriminate use of force to achieve political aim. It involves the commission of outrageous act in order to precipitate a political change. Terrorism is also distinguished by its non-actor charter even when terrorist receive military, political, economical and other means of support from states. Besides that, terrorism deliberately and specifically targets the innocent with surprise use of violence. 

Terrorist in order to maximize to physiological effect of an attack their activity have deliberate unpredictable quality, the element of surprise.

According to the FBI definition, “Terrorism is the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a Government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives”.

There are many reasons for the emergence of terrorism, where some are genuine and some are vested interest. But one of the causes of terrorism is a staunch belief that ‘my way is the only way’. However some genuine reasons are economic deprivation in form of unemployment, wealth disparities, lack of basic amenities and discrimination.

Political frustration has emerged as an explosive cause of terrorism. Regional disparities, which take form of separatist movements where concentration of economic infrastructure and gains are at selected places, attempt to secure regional autonomies. Intervention into religious, social and personal freedom also results into the outburst of terrorist activities. 

With an alarming rate, the threat of terrorism is changing and becoming more and ore deadlier. Terrorism is no longer confined to a particular region or state, but it has become globalized and operates in a network system. With globalization and advancement in the technologies, terrorism has also spread in the veins of all nations. 

Before September 11, 2001, terrorism perceived as a local affair. It was condemned but not seriously dealt by the international community. However the massive blow of terrorist attack in form of 9/11 shattered the fools paradise in which we were living and exposed the short coming of international community in general and USA in particular in combating the world of terrorism. Now the terrorism was no more a local affair but was the most important crisis in front burner. 

 In today’s scenario, the plinth of terrorism has extended rapidly and with every stroke of attack its impact became more deeper , massive and deadly. With any terror strike the normal life is put in jeopardy. Whether it is Sept 11 of USA or 26 July of Mumbai blast, the whole normal life is disrupted, gripped in fear and smoke of devastation hovers all around. The atmosphere which was moments ago was full of life, with an act of terrorism is reduced to lifeless, fearful and uncertain environment. Suddenly nothing seems to be working and everything that the man strives down comes tumbling down like twin towers.

Broadly the impact of terrorism may be classified into economic, socio-culture and political. In economic effect, terrorism derails an economy and nothing can be more serious than halting an entire process which seeks to optimize the human welfare and country’s development. Under terror strike, the process of growth comes under heavy strain and the pace of change is slowed down. The adverse economic effect can be named as, strains on ongoing activities, setback to augmentation efforts and new ventures. With the changing scenario scenario thrust are required to be placed on new economic programmes in line with globalization, liberalization and mounting competition. Terrorism act as speed breaker to these initiatives. Besides million of rupees are spend to combat terror menace which instead could have been used for human welfare

Socio cultural effect of terrorism are more deeply rooted and have lasting effect. Growing are puts breaks on the progress of society towards its betterment. Social effect may principally can be divided into , the effect on education and emancipation, social harmony and human psychology. Terrorism creates deep scar in human mind and build up atmosphere of distrust, fears and ignites differences among communities, states and countries.

Terrorism has a far reaching deadly effect on the political situation of a country. It has lethal potential to bring chaos and disorder in a country. It weakens the roots of an established political authority. The political effect of terrorism are mainly manifested in the form of instability, hindrance to the growth of democracy and loosening of administrative authority.

To conclude no part on this globe is now free from the destructive effect of terrorism. It has taken many forms like narco terrorism, nuclear terrorism, kidnapping, illicit trade, bombing, hijacking etc. It a a lurking danger on the peace of entire globe and have to be dealt with iron hand by the international community. We have to stand together fight this menace which have deprived human what is rightfully their right, the right to leave and grow peacefully. But for that we need coordinated effort , single indeed devotion, political will anti terrorist measures, counter terrorist measure and shared intelligence reports.

Then only we can achieve the world for what our fore fathers made sacrifices.
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;
Where knowledge is free;
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by domestic walls;
Where words come out from the depth of truth;
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit;
Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widening thought and action--
Into that heaven of freedom, my father, let my country awake.
Rabindranath Tagore