Does poverty or corruption fuel terrorism? or is it just a war of ideology?
The case of Boko Haram in Nigeria
Mr Abdulkarim Mohammed, a researcher on Boko Haram argued that the violent uprising in Nigeria, whether by Boko Haram or other groups, are invariably the result of “social injustice” and “bad governance” . He said that
“Boko Haram is essentially the fallout of frustration with corruption and the attendant social malaise of poverty and unemployment… The young generation see how [the nation’s resources] are squandered by a small bunch of self-serving elite which breeds animosity and frustration, and such anger is ultimately translated into violent outbursts,” .
The Different Schools of
thought.
The first Schools of
thought (Economic issues)
A number
of different factors have been attributed to the fueling of Boko Haram’s
violence and atrocities. Some of those factors include :
·
A
feeling of isolation from the more-developed, predominantly Christian, southern
region of Nigeria
·
Persistent
poverty
·
Incompetent
and brutal security services
·
The
belief that relations with the West are of no interest to ordinary Nigerians.
Local
Muslim population in areas affected by violence Boko Haram have to some extent
sympathized with Boko Haram because they share the same grievances (Brock
2011).
Residents
of northern Nigeria live in extreme poverty with less than $2 a day.
The second school of
thought (Ideology)
The evolution of Boko Haram
is fueled by from a group of disaffected Muslim with guidance from radical
Islamism and al Qaeda’s guidance. Boko Haram claimed that their main mission is
to implement sharia law and establish an Islamic state throughout all of
Nigeria to safeguard the right of Muslims
The question is what fuels terrorist groups? and what is the link between globalization, poverty and terrorism?
I feel like poverty is a fuel to terrorism because when living in poverty, you are basically poor. Some days you will go without food, clothes, or shelter. Everyday you have to fight to stay alive because of the poorness and hunger. It will start terrorism because they would want to take over other countries because they don't have and greed usually leads to chaos and destruction.
ReplyDeleteI do believe there is a link between globalization, poverty and terrorism. I don't believe that terrorism is solely fueled by poverty.
ReplyDeleteThere have been cases where extremist religious beliefs have lead to terrorist acts. Nevertheless, i believe terrorism is about creating chaos to send a message.
I completely agree with you, it's a cycle between the links
DeleteI think that globalization has fueled terrorism in a way as well. It has exuded a life in which the power resides in economic achievement. Hence countries are more focused on economic development and people will use any means to reach power. Furtthermore, the technological advancements have made it easier to compell people to act. That also has leAd to more terrorist crimes and in new forms, crimes that are more skilled, more organized and harder to stop
ReplyDeleteI think that globalization has fueled terrorism in certain aspects. I believe through the changes many of these developing countries may face it leads to the uprising of "nationalist" who feel that there should be no changes to their society. I also believe that the media in part has had a tremendous role in making these terrorists "famous" they are now not only feared by the region in which they terrorize.
ReplyDeleteGlobalizations has fueled terrorism, seeing developed countries brings them to want to achieve economic power, to have the same advantages as developed countries so they will do what it takes to make a statement of that they want.
ReplyDeleteI think that globalization fueled terrorism Furthermore, the technological advancements have made it easier act for terrorism I also believe that the media in part
ReplyDeleteI agree with Soraya in that I feel there is a cycle in which poverty leads to the recruitment of locals into terror networks. Globalization has led to increase contact between civilizations that don't always agree with one another. One of Osama Bin Laden's rationales behind 9/11 was that the US had military bases too close to the holy lands in Saudi Arabia. These bases were there to protect American financial interests in the region. American involvement in these lands prompted a fanatical and evil response that has led to an ongoing catastrophe in the region, which has now spread world-wide. Islamic terrorism and Western imperialism go hand in hand.
ReplyDelete