Risk Management. Do the events of 9/11 and beyond presage an era of new terrorism?

Essay from the year 2012 in the subject Sociology - Methodology and Methods, , language: English, abstract: Discuss whether the events of 9/11 and beyond presage an era of new terrorism. What problems does this pose in terms of risk management? The given question frames two points for discussion, namely whether the events of 9/11 and beyond presage an era of 'new terrorism' and what problems this poses in terms of risk management. Many regard 9/11 as a watershed moment in the history of terrorism. This viewpoint is critically analysed in this paper. The essay opens with a definition of the main terms to which the essay question is referring to, namely 'terrorism', 'risk' and 'risk management'. Using this terminology as a framework for analysis the essay studies the phenomenon of terrorism throughout the ages in its different expressions. Following this timeline, contemporary religious terrorism and the events of 9/11 are considered in detail. Then, the limitations of risk management practices of intelligence agencies and airport security pre 9/11 are studied. This is followed by a study of the 'Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism' Act (USA Patriot Act), which was adopted after 9/11 to compensate these limitations. These legislation changes are then followed by a further study of the new practices at airports. The essay concludes with stating that the events of 9/11 did not presage a new era in terrorism, but were rather a continuation of contemporary religious terrorism, which exploited the existing weaknesses in risk management practices. Arguably, initial responses to the question can be found in terminology and definitions.

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