Security in the 21st century: US and European responses to global terrorism

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, International, International Security
Cover of the book Security in the 21st century: US and European responses to global terrorism by Patrick Wagner, GRIN Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Patrick Wagner ISBN: 9783638310932
Publisher: GRIN Publishing Publication: October 2, 2004
Imprint: GRIN Publishing Language: English
Author: Patrick Wagner
ISBN: 9783638310932
Publisher: GRIN Publishing
Publication: October 2, 2004
Imprint: GRIN Publishing
Language: English

Master's Thesis from the year 2004 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Topic: Peace and Conflict Studies, Security, grade: 2 (B), University of Kent (Brussels School of International Studies), 64 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: Although the world stood united behind America when the dust of the collapsed twin towers of the World Trade Centre settled, differences between the United States and Europe soon became apparent. Europe might have supported the US in Afghanistan, both politically and militarily, but diverging interests already became apparent when the US sidelined NATO and preferred to lead 'Operation Enduring Freedom' itself. The dispute escalated over the US plans to continue the war on terror in Iraq. Here, it emerged that the US and Europe do not share the same world view. While the US seem to perceive the world in Hobbesian terms, and believe that military strength is the only means to achieve security, Europe appears to understand security in the Kantian sense and believes that 'perpetual peace' can be achieved. The question that divided Europe and the US over Iraq then is more than a simple difference of opinion but reflects a deep philosophical division: Can global security be achieved by force or through sustained dedication to a set of normative principles implemented by the world community? Consequently, the counterterrorism strategies formulated in Europe and the US are of a fundamentally different nature, which cannot be explained merely by the discrepancy in military capabilities. If that would be the case, Europe would have begun to build up its military potential by now. Acknowledging that 'terrorism has become one of the most pressing political problems,' (David Whittaker) the aim of this paper is to compare the US and the European approach to global terrorism, establish reasons for the differences and evaluate which approach might be more effective. As September 11, has changed our perception of security by demonstrating that even the US is, despite its unrivalled military superiority, vulnerable to attack, carried out by just 19 men armed with cardboard cutters, we should remain aware that the responses we chose to these attacks reflect our dedication to human rights, the rule of law and indeed freedom. Relying on military strength is easier than to acknowledge that terrorism is caused by a fundamentally unjust economical and political world order that markedly favours the West, yet it might ultimately prove to become more dangerous than terrorism itself, as it does nothing to resolve the problem but reinforces the world order that is the cause of the problem.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Master's Thesis from the year 2004 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Topic: Peace and Conflict Studies, Security, grade: 2 (B), University of Kent (Brussels School of International Studies), 64 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: Although the world stood united behind America when the dust of the collapsed twin towers of the World Trade Centre settled, differences between the United States and Europe soon became apparent. Europe might have supported the US in Afghanistan, both politically and militarily, but diverging interests already became apparent when the US sidelined NATO and preferred to lead 'Operation Enduring Freedom' itself. The dispute escalated over the US plans to continue the war on terror in Iraq. Here, it emerged that the US and Europe do not share the same world view. While the US seem to perceive the world in Hobbesian terms, and believe that military strength is the only means to achieve security, Europe appears to understand security in the Kantian sense and believes that 'perpetual peace' can be achieved. The question that divided Europe and the US over Iraq then is more than a simple difference of opinion but reflects a deep philosophical division: Can global security be achieved by force or through sustained dedication to a set of normative principles implemented by the world community? Consequently, the counterterrorism strategies formulated in Europe and the US are of a fundamentally different nature, which cannot be explained merely by the discrepancy in military capabilities. If that would be the case, Europe would have begun to build up its military potential by now. Acknowledging that 'terrorism has become one of the most pressing political problems,' (David Whittaker) the aim of this paper is to compare the US and the European approach to global terrorism, establish reasons for the differences and evaluate which approach might be more effective. As September 11, has changed our perception of security by demonstrating that even the US is, despite its unrivalled military superiority, vulnerable to attack, carried out by just 19 men armed with cardboard cutters, we should remain aware that the responses we chose to these attacks reflect our dedication to human rights, the rule of law and indeed freedom. Relying on military strength is easier than to acknowledge that terrorism is caused by a fundamentally unjust economical and political world order that markedly favours the West, yet it might ultimately prove to become more dangerous than terrorism itself, as it does nothing to resolve the problem but reinforces the world order that is the cause of the problem.

More books from GRIN Publishing

Cover of the book Explanation of the transition to democracy in Eastern Europe in 1989 - 1991. The role of public pressure in the Eastern European transition to democracy by Patrick Wagner
Cover of the book Social influences in brainstorming groups by Patrick Wagner
Cover of the book Anglicanism in Overseas - Challenges of the Anglican Church in Canada in the past and in the future by Patrick Wagner
Cover of the book Bewertung des disruptiven Potenzials einer 'high-end'-Markteindringung am Beispiel des Unternehmens Amyris by Patrick Wagner
Cover of the book Mughal Architecture by Patrick Wagner
Cover of the book Differentiation between inpatriation and expatriation: Factors of success and failure of inpatriation by Patrick Wagner
Cover of the book ALDI in the international market by Patrick Wagner
Cover of the book A Literature Review on the Impact of Investment in Human Capital on Economic Success: How do Human Resources Practices affect Organisational Performance? by Patrick Wagner
Cover of the book Explicit foreign culture teaching in the English Foreign Language classroom for intercultural competence development by Patrick Wagner
Cover of the book Are power indices a valid measure to quantify changes in influence in the EU's Council of Ministers, following the re-weighting of votes in the Treaty of Nice? by Patrick Wagner
Cover of the book Music and Advertising in Television I by Patrick Wagner
Cover of the book Methoden des Multiprojektcontrolling. Möglichkeiten und Grenzen by Patrick Wagner
Cover of the book The Significance of numbers in 'Beloved' by Patrick Wagner
Cover of the book Development as Freedom by Patrick Wagner
Cover of the book The Role of Animals in McCarthy's 'Blood Meridian' and Haggard's 'She' by Patrick Wagner
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy