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 Foreign Market Servicing Decision - Beiersdorf on the Russian market. by Patrick Wagner
Cover of the book Was ist wichtig an Unternehmenskultur? - Eine Analyse wichtiger Kulturmerkmale anhand einer empirischen Untersuchung by Patrick Wagner
Cover of the book Beyond Teleology and Progress by Patrick Wagner
Cover of the book New Zealand Accent in contrast to RP by Patrick Wagner
Cover of the book United States of America's Foreign Policy in the Security of Asia-Pacific Region by Patrick Wagner
Cover of the book Will further EU enlargement cause a crisis in the EU? An analysis by Patrick Wagner
Cover of the book The UN's Challenges and Problems in International Interim Administration: The cases of the Kosovo and East Timor by Patrick Wagner
Cover of the book Rudyard Kipling`s Perception of Canada by Patrick Wagner
Cover of the book An Analysis of the Relevance of Categorization and the Prominence of Basic Level Categories in Written Texts by Patrick Wagner
Cover of the book The Social Justice Imagination by Patrick Wagner
Cover of the book Hindu Nationalism by Patrick Wagner
Cover of the book An investigation of the effects of taxes on work decisions on the example of the WFTC in the UK by Patrick Wagner
Cover of the book Will the EU-15s current social welfare systems induce migration from the new member states? by Patrick Wagner
Cover of the book Anthony Trollope's 'The Eustace Diamonds' - The Effects of Commodity Culture on Social Life and Marriage by Patrick Wagner
Cover of the book Process Analysis Technique 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