In this post, Aksan and Bailes confront the mass media's depictions of terrorism. They go on to say that the media promotes the idea that terrorism is a cowardly and helpless act. The journal article proceeds to use Reagan's concept of terrorism, which is a state-targeted attack by a group of people attempting to restore the planet to a state of barbarism and discord. Terrorism uses as its primary tool of propagation, the media, and is thus able to grip the nation in fear due to its constant and ever-increasing publicity (Aksan & Bailes, 2013).
The article explores the level of fear associated with terrorism by conducting a qualitative inquiry using open-ended questionnaires to get a general glimpse of the public fear of terrorism. The journal's qualitative data reveals that the media has had a significant effect on fanning the fear of terrorism in the U.S.
Summary on What Is Terrorism? In Law, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Terrorism
Douglass in his 2014 journal entry, examines the varying definitions for what is considered terrorism. In this respect, he cites that terrorism is distinguished from an act of war predominately due to the number of perpetrators, a definition which does not include terrorism acts amongst two or more states. This ambivalence has resulted in mixed public comprehension on the subject of terrorism. People are afraid of what they do not understand. "But there is also a degree of dissensus, stemming partly from ambivalence in relation to the legitimacy of lesser forms of political violence a partily from reluctance to protect 'good terrorists' from the moral and legal implications of their falling within the statutory definitions" (Douglass, 2014).
Studies conducted during the preparation of this journal were in the form of surveys in which the respondents were required to provide insight on the extent of their fear of terrorism based on the information they have on the issue. Douglass noted that the shroud of mystery surrounding what does and does not constitute terrorism is a significant proponent of the growing fear of terrorism in America.
Summary on Constructions of Terrorism: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Research and Policy
Stohl, Burchill, and Englund in their 2017 journal entry, examine the concept of terrorism, particularly how it started and how it grew to become such a large part of contemporary society. In a similar manner to the previous article by Douglass, this journal argues that individuals may not be the only ones responsible for terrorist actions, as state terrorism occurs when a country enacts covert and violent military operations against another. "Yet, as I explained in this chapter, in each case there is an audience in mind, and a larger network of imagined supporters whom the act is meant to impress" (Stohl, Burchill, & Englund, 2017).
Subsequently, the journal looks at how fear of terrorism is spread, obtaining data from its sample population through a combination of interviews, questionnaires and surveys. The Journal posits that the primary means of spreading the fear of terrorism is by publicized executions, as well as acts of mass murder such as the Las Vegas shooting, perpetrated on the 1st of October 2017. More than this, the authors delve into the intent of terrorist activities, citing that at times, it is also meant to elicit anger and overreaction, which in turn, favors the perpetrators.
References
Aksan, C., & Bailes, J. (2013). Weapon of the Strong: Conversations on US State Terrorism.London: Pluto Press. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt183p5wc
Douglas, R. (2014). What Is Terrorism? In Law, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Terrorism (pp. 4661). Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press. Retrieved fromhttp://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1gk08gq.8
Stohl, M., Burchill, R., & Englund, S. (Eds.). (2017). Constructions of Terrorism: AnInterdisciplinary Approach to Research and Policy. Oakland, California: University ofCalifornia Press. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/j.ctt1qv5prv
