Homework answers / question archive / 1) The functionalist perspective best helps me understand the act of terrorism

1) The functionalist perspective best helps me understand the act of terrorism

Sociology

Share With

1) The functionalist perspective best helps me understand the act of terrorism. Additionally, I have found that the functionalist theory behind the explanation of war ties closely in with understanding terrorism as well. This week’s reading describes the act of terrorism to contain factors of violence, instilling fear into individuals, or the attempt to create changes; politically, socially, economically and culturally (Barkan, 2010). One of the elements behind the functionalist perspective is that although social problems exist, the issue serves an important function for society; whether malicious or beneficial. Many terrorists act on behalf of conscious beliefs, and justify their actions with the outcome of the results. For example, even if many individuals die during a revolt; if an injustice is changed, the deaths were worth the new justice. Another aspect of functionalism is similar to the first described, but additionally labels each of society’s functions as a necessary and essential aspect; not just an action that can later serve a purpose. This means, that the existence of terrorism, is necessary to keep the progress of society. Terroism, although mostly detrimental, may help spur a nation, economy, or society into an act of progress. Finally, on the other end of the spectrum, functionalism describes severe upheaval and movement within a society as unstable or disruptive. Like legitimate fat and weight loss must take consistency, not be comprised of fad and “instant dieting,” and other factors that promote slow progress, likewise, within a society, change must happen at a slow pace in order to remain sustainable. This helps explain acts of terroism, as they can often highlight an issue, or bring attention to a certain area; but leaves a wake of destruction, and instability. Most often, terrorists have an agenda they want to push, or a change they want to see - but as the functionalist theory explains; often acts large or extreme acts of aggression, violence, or chaos do not create a solid change, but can often be detrimental to all parties involved.

2. I believe terrorism fall under the sociological perspective of Functionalism, (in the social sciences) the theory that all aspects of a society serve a function and are necessary for the survival of that society, in the philosophy of mind is the doctrine that what makes something a mental state of a particular type does not depend on its internal constitution, but rather on the way it functions, or the role it plays, in the system of which it is a part ("Stanford Encyclopedia Of Philosophy ", 2016). Terrorism pertaining to the sociological perspective of Functionalism is that terrorist organizations have a purpose for their society to commit terrorist acts to other countries to establish their dominance and to let their advisories know that they are willing to do anything for their point of views to be conceded especially after the opponent doubted the organizations capabilities. Terrorism occurs for political, religion, and power so that other countries can meet the demands of terrorist, and to instill fear in their enemies causing intimidation so that they can submit to the organizations ruling.

The three elements that connect to the theory of terrorism are violence, non-combatant targets, to instill fear world wide to accomplish their political goals. Types of terrorism include bombings, assassinations, holding citizens hostage, hi-jacking, and kidnappings, terrorist have no fear, no mercy, and nor remorse on the damage and devastation they cause on their targets. Understanding their sociological perspective gives us a better understanding whey they do what they do and what they want to accomplish.