Terrorism in Context 1 Essays

Terrorism in Context 1 Essays Terrorism in Context 1 Essay Terrorism in Context 1 Essay Terrorism in Context 1 Name: Course: Date: Terrorism in Context 1 Part 1 Politicians are there to represent the public’s interest in congress. They therefore address people many times. They have their own special way in which they talk to citizens. This language is meant to convince the public to follow them and vote for them. Elected officials need to learn how to express themselves in a manner that will convince more people. Some politicians do not tell the whole truth. They have designed a way in which their lies are believable. The audiences they address have therefore associated political language with lies. They perceive that most of what the politicians say is not true. This is because most of the time what the politicians say turns out not to be true. This is seen especially during campaign periods. A politician will say anything so that they can be elected into office. They will promise citizens many things. Most of which they cannot deliver (Carver Pikalo, 2008). Political language has also been used to change how the public perceives certain situations. Since politicians hold offices of power, they are able to change people’s views. For instance, if the public was against homosexuality and a politician comes out in support of homosexuals, he or she can convince some people to support the issue. This is an example of how political language can change a person’s perception. It is with the use of this language that citizens have been convinced to change their stand. Political language is thereby highly influential. Part 2 The process of motivation and commitment among terrorists are many. Terrorists are usually angry and frustrated about the state of affairs in the world. They feel that there are countries that are infringing the rights of other people. They take it upon themselves to defend these people’s rights. They feel that they are revolutionaries. Terrorists are motivated by religious beliefs and hatred towards leaders and countries. They feel that they are justified to protect their beliefs against leaders that are representing their rights. They oppose what the governments believe in and know that it is their right to correct this situation. Part 2a Members of terrorist groups are recruited in different ways. They are lured into these groups with the promise of money and a greater life after death. They are often promised that their families will be protected and looked after. They are given a promise for a better life. Members are also recruited from schools. These students had radical views against the government. Therefore, they were ideal candidates as they already oppose the government (Crenshaw, 1995). Part 2b The recruits are often from poor backgrounds. They are from families that cannot afford necessities of life. They are shown that they can afford a better lifestyle for their families through terrorism (Crenshaw, 1995). Part 2c Leaders of the groups sustained commitment and motivation through various ways. They had to make sure that the recruits do not forget the cause. Therefore, they made sure that the families of deceased soldiers were taken care of. They ensured that the recruits led comfortable lifestyles. Recruits always had money to buy anything they needed. This offered them security. They were also protected especially in countries with political unrest. They also made sure that the recruits were continuously reminded of the cause for terrorism. They showed the negative side of the government. They used religion to back their reasons for terrorism. They misquoted scriptures to fit their cause (Crenshaw, 1995). Reference Carver, T., Pikalo, J. (2008). Political language and metaphor: Interpreting and changing the world. New York: Routledge. Crenshaw, M. (1995). Terrorism in context. University Park, Pa: Pennsylvania State University Press.