Deck 21: Green Criminology and Environmental Crime

Question 1

One of the key problems here, then, is that much research on terrorism is neither empirical nor does it engage with primary sources.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Did terrorism alter as a result of 9/11?

Answer 2

Yes, terrorism and the global landscape of terrorist threats underwent significant changes as a result of the September 11, 2001, attacks (9/11). Here are several ways in which terrorism altered post-9/11:
1. **Shift in Focus and Priorities**: Before 9/11, terrorism was often seen as a regional issue or a problem that affected specific countries. After the attacks, terrorism became a top priority for many nations, particularly the United States, and was viewed as a global threat that required international cooperation and comprehensive counterterrorism strategies.
2. **Evolution of Security Measures**: Air travel security was transformed with the creation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the US and similar organizations worldwide. There was a significant increase in security protocols, including passenger screening, baggage checks, and reinforced cockpit doors. Surveillance and intelligence-gathering capabilities were also expanded globally.
3. **Counterterrorism Legislation**: Many countries enacted new counterterrorism laws that expanded the powers of law enforcement and intelligence agencies. The USA PATRIOT Act is one example of legislation that gave the government new tools to detect and prevent terrorism.
4. **Rise of Homeland Security**: The concept of homeland security gained prominence, leading to the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security in the United States. This department consolidated numerous agencies under one umbrella to better coordinate the fight against terrorism.
5. **Global Counterterrorism Efforts**: International alliances and partnerships were strengthened to combat terrorism. Initiatives such as the Global Counterterrorism Forum were established to enhance global cooperation.
6. **Military Interventions**: The US and its allies launched military operations in Afghanistan and later Iraq, aiming to dismantle terrorist organizations like al-Qaeda and remove regimes that were believed to support terrorism. This led to long-term military engagements and the redefinition of warfare, including the use of drones for targeted killings.
7. **Radicalization and Recruitment**: Terrorist groups adapted by using the internet and social media for propaganda, radicalization, and recruitment. The narrative of the "War on Terror" sometimes played into the hands of extremist recruiters who used it to fuel anti-Western sentiment.
8. **Emergence of New Groups**: The post-9/11 era saw the rise of new terrorist organizations, most notably the Islamic State (ISIS), which at its peak controlled significant territories in Iraq and Syria. These groups were often more brutal and media-savvy than their predecessors.
9. **Change in Tactics**: There was a noticeable shift in terrorist tactics, with an increase in so-called "lone wolf" attacks, where individuals inspired by extremist ideologies carry out attacks without direct orders from a terrorist organization. This made detecting and preventing attacks more challenging.
10. **Public Perception and Islamophobia**: The perception of terrorism changed, often associating it with Islam in the public consciousness, which led to increased Islamophobia and discrimination against Muslim communities in the West.
In summary, the 9/11 attacks were a watershed moment that not only altered the course of global politics and international relations but also transformed the nature, perception, and strategies of terrorism and counterterrorism efforts worldwide.

Question 3

Why is it so hard to define terrorism?

Answer 3

No Answer

Question 4

Typically, anti-terrorist target hardening strategies involve a number of repeated themes. Prominent among them is the control of traffic flows and parking to restrict the access of vehicle-borne bombs (´hostile vehicle mitigation´) involving what?

A)Strategically sited (reinforced) plant pots, signs or street furniture designed to withstand high-speed collisions
B)Buildings in high-risk areas are often constructed with shatter-proof glass
C)Armed patrol vehicles
D)High-risk areas often have very few places where packages could be concealed: litter bins are removed and manhole covers welded shut
E)Access points to particular areas or even entire neighbourhoods may be restricted

Question 5

Giddens (2005) argued that, in a globalized world there are several key differences between ´old´ forms of terrorism and ´new´ forms of terrorism. ´New´ terrorism (e.g. Al Qaeda) is characterized by which of these?

A)Located in failed or failing states
B)Less restraint regarding tactics
C)Use of hi-tech communication to coordinate its actions and promote its cause
D)Threat to specific authorities
E)Relatively low levels of violence

Question 6

Giddens (2005) argued that, in a globalized world there are several key differences between ´old´ forms of terrorism and ´new´ forms of terrorism. ´Old´ terrorism (e.g ETA, PIRA) is characterized by which of these?

A)Located in failed or failing states
B)Less restraint regarding tactics
C)Tight local organization
D)Threat to specific authorities
E)Relatively low levels of violence

Question 7

What proportion of terrorism research that contributes to journals hails from the United States or United Kingdom?

A)0.254
B)0.359
C)0.642
D)0.7353
E)0.824

Question 8

Which of these groups is not a terrorist organization?

A)The Red Brigade
B)Baader Meinhoff
C)The Brown Panthers
D)Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA)
E)PIRA

Question 9

Some criminologists have sought to explore terrorism by applying their ideas about crime to terrorism by imagining that these differences simply do not exist. This approach is particularly prominent among left-realist approaches to crime control.

Question 10

How useful is the ´unstable terrorist´ thesis?