''Globalization and Transnational Terrorism'' by Selin TURKES - 2003

GLOBALIZATION AND TRANSNATIONAL TERRORISM

We live in a world of interdependence. There is free flow of capitals, goods, information, ideas and
people in the name of globalization and as its consequence, every single unit around the world becomes
more and more connected to each other. In this interconnected world, people are suffering from the
violent acts of terrorists. This paper aims to illustrate the relationship of transnational terrorism with
globalization. It will be argued that transnational terrorism is a reaction to the dissatisfaction created by
globalization and that terrorism benefits from the media power of globalization in seeking for
recognition. Three different forms of globalization; economic, social and political, will be examined in
related to the transnational terrorism.

Although it is difficult to give an exact definition, globalization can simply be defined as “integration
and democratization of the world’s culture, economy, and infrastructure through transnational
investment, rapid proliferation of communication and information technologies, and the impacts of
free-market forces on local, regional and national economies”
(http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/RefArticle.aspx?refid=1741588397). Globalization is effecting
the world in three different spheres of life: economic, cultural and political. The economic dimension
results from recent revolutions in technology information, trade, foreign investment and international
business. Economic globalization is brought about by capitalism. The functioning of economic
globalization results in the contradiction between efficiency and fairness. Capitalism does not favor
social justice. In order to maximize profit, concepts such as justice and equality are underestimated.
Hoffman describes globalization as a formidable cause of inequality. In the globalization process, as
the principles of capitalism are applied; the rich is getting richer while the poor is getting poorer.
Economic gap is widening more and more.

Globalization provides a fascinated world for the rich capitalist countries. However, it makes the lives
of poor even worse. Furthermore, as the global world brings the masses closer, the world of the rich is
as close to the poor as the switch of TV (Örgün). Every day, poor is watching the beautiful lives of
“others” on TV. This may easily lead to hatred and aggression in the people of weak countries. In
extreme cases, we observe the aggression turning into a violent reaction, as we call it, terrorism.
Hoffman points out that as globalization enriches some and uproots many, the ones who are both poor
and uprooted may seek revenge and self-esteem in terrorism (Hoffman, 2002).

It is not appropriate to label terrorism as a product of globalization since terrorism is almost as old as
the history of civilizations. Historians give the example of a radical Jewish sect from the 1st century;
the Zealots, which reacted violently against Roman Empire. The Zealots were killing Roman soldiers
and innocent civilians and they were destroying Roman property. Such violent actions of the Zealots
are considered as the earliest records of terrorist acts (http://latter-rain.com/ltrain/zeal.htm). Certainly,
terrorism would still exist even if globalization did not occur, but it would not be so much violent nor
so much effective. It can be claimed that, terrorism has changed dimension with globalization. As
globalization led the capital, knowledge, information and culture to exceed the boundaries, it led
terrorism to turn into transnational terrorism.

The term “transnational” is used to describe the activities that cross the boundaries of states but the o-
nes that do not involve the state as an institution. It is suggested that international violence can be
viewed as a product of the growth of interdependence among nations (Guelke,95,145).
When transnational terrorism is considered as a reaction to globalization, this corresponds to the view
that sees terrorism as the weapon of the weak. The profile of the terrorists are usually drawn as
frustrated people. Since they cannot attain their goals through legal means, terrorist acts are the way to
make their voice heard. All they can do is create muse of great sensation by the use of violence even if
it costs them their lives. They aim to be recognized, furthermore, they need to be recognized. This is
why they are choosing crowded areas for taking action. The more violent an act is, the more effective it
would be and the more people would recognize them. Generally, when a terrorist action takes place, the
responsible terrorist organization immediately undertakes the responsibility. This can be seen as the
proof of their will to be recognized.

At this point, globalization helps terrorists in their fight against globalization with the tools of
communication and media. “Terrorists know that the media will spread the effect of their deeds; their
ultimate target is not the immediate victim but the national or global audience of the media”
(Hyde,1989,85). In globalized terrorism what is important is to gain international attention. Terrorists
need audience, and the global media gives it to them. on the 11 September 2001, billions of people
watched the collapse of Twin Towers live. Hyde claims that, television is bringing the viewer to the
scene in such a way that he or she is the participant in a dangerous act while he or she is actually in a
safe place (Hyde,1989,85). In such a way, television helps the horror to spread to the people all over
the world and thus increases the effectiveness of a terrorist act.

Furthermore, advances in transportation provide ease in mobility, thus, facilitate the task of terrorists. It
is easier for terrorists to change location. As a result, terrorist organizations are spreading to a wide
area. This strengthens their chance of survival. They can easily hide and even if one of their bases is
destroyed, the organization still survives in other places. It becomes more and more difficult for states,
which are the victims of terrorist acts, to determine and defeat the responsible. In addition, advances in
the transportation of arms makes it easier for terrorists to reach their target.

Globalization reduces the limits: Borders are no more strictly set. The role of the states is decreased and
control of government on economy is weakened. Globalization leads to the rise of the non-state actors.
States are not the main actors in the system anymore. By reducing the state sovereignty, globalization
puts the individuals into a more vulnerable position. States no more have the unlimited power to
preserve their citizens’ survival, which is their primary task. In the case of a transnational terrorist
attack, it is almost impossible to find and punish the responsible. Instead, victim states tend to intervene
in the countries that are known to be supporting terrorism. However, such interventions challenge the
principles of international law. In sum, the less power the state owns, the more insecure its citizens
become.

From the cultural aspect, globalization leads to the spread of culture attached to the commodities and
the knowledge that flow transboundary from the capitalist countries to the weak ones. The culture of
the rich engulfs the one of the weak. Over time, the culture of the rich is expected to replace one’s own
culture. This is another factor that fuels up the transnational terrorist movements. For instance,
Hoffman argues that Islamic terrorism is not only based on support for the Palestinian struggle and
opposition to invasive American presence. Instead, it is also fueled by resistance to unjust economic
globalization and to the Western culture which is believed to be threatening local regions and cultures
(Hoffman,2002).

The political dimension of globalization aims the spread of democracies. However, reaction against
democracies has spread more quickly than democracy itself. Terrorists began to choose their targets
especially among democracies.
September 11 attack reflects the reaction to the three forms of globalization. The planes hit the Twin
Tower of the WTO, which symbolized capitalism, liberal culture and democracy. The terrorist attack
weakened the United State’s image of stability and strength. The unlimited trust in imperialism,
freedom and democracy is weakened.

In this paper, I have stated that terrorism is formed as a reaction to the dissatisfaction created by
globalization among the weak countries, through three different forms of globalization: economic,
social and political. As a result, transnational terrorism occurs as a weapon of the weak. Terrorists need
to be recognized and ironically, globalization provides them recognition by the power of its mass
media.

BIBLIOGRAPGHY
Guelke, Adrian. The Age of Terrorism and The International Political Sytem. London: Tauris
Academic Studies. 1995.

Hoffman, Stanley. “Clash of Globalization.” Foreign Affairs, Jul/Aug 2002, vol 81, issue 4, p.104-116.

Hyde, Margaret O. And Elizabeth H. Forsyth. Terrorism. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons. 1989.

Örgün, Faruk. Küresel Terör. Istanbul: Okumus Adam. 2001.

http://www.encarta.com

http://latter-rain.com/ltrain/zeal.htm

This article is from IRAREC-International Relations Academic Research Community

http://www.irarec.org/