Reference no: EM131874233

Respond to the following: Answer each discussion(X2) with a minimum of 300 words each or more with at least 2 references. Be thoughtful and insightful and it must demonstrate critical thinking and analysis.

D1: The Internet and Leaderless Terrorism

The Internet and social media play a significant role in recruiting and radicalizing lone-wolf and leaderless terrorists. The emergence of evolving technology, such as the Internet offers like-minded persons the ability to operate within virtual communities without direction from any formal organization.

This sort of activity has given life to the creation of leaderless terrorism, also known as leaderless resistance. The Internet provides all of the tools, motivation, and a new operational strategy, requiring no command or control from any group or organizational "leader."

Arresting and prosecuting these sorts of activities under the guise of "terrorism" affords the government many investigative and prosecutorial advantages, while it also stifles political dissent to protect private economic gain at the expense of the environment.

1. How has the Internet changed the time-tested traditional hierarchy of terrorist organizations to the new leaderless terrorism model? Be sure to include relevant examples to support your position.

D2: Mental Illness and Lone Wolf Terrorism

The research findings establishing to what extent the behavior of lone-wolf terrorists are directly influenced by their mental-illness is varied, and remains inconclusive. Some researchers argue that terrorists should not be regarded as suffering from any identifiable psychopathology.

Others have found that although most terrorists are, in general, rational, the rate of psychological disturbance in lone-wolf terrorists is significantly higher. However, some studies have concluded that individuals with mental illness can display rational motivations.

2. Do you think that most lone-wolf terrorists are rational persons exhibiting irrational actions according to societal norms? Or, are they generally mentally-ill persons who can function rationally? Provide relevant examples to support your reasoning.