法律 Law Dissertation案例：恐怖主义

小结

本dissertation讨论了恐怖主义与社会构建直接存在的联系

To what extent is terrorism a social construct?

(Title)

Abstract

This project aims to identify the extent to which terrorism has been socially constructed. Terrorism is a term that is used regularly by the news media and politicians, and whether its application is unbiased is fundamental to the debate. The political implications of such a label can have profound demonising effects. One would expect establishments with such power to proportionately use the label; otherwise imprecise images of the threat distort our worldview. Firstly, questioning the ability to define the phenomenon will set the tone for the investigation. Using academic debates alongside a document analysis of a right-wing (Daily Mail) and left-wing (The Guardian) news media source will highlight key debates while uncovering any political bias ingrained in the terrorism label. Regrettably, the document analysis exposed disproportionality in reporting the Lee Rigby and Jo Cox incidents. Evidently, the news media are rapid to report and sensationalise Islamic extremism, as opposed to right-wing extremism. The Daily Mail was more inclined to use extracts demonising Islam alongside subtle sympathy for Cox’s killer, signifying its greater political bias. Consequently, analysis found race/religion/ethnicity to be fundamental factors for labelling terrorism. The social constructionist explanation facilitated reasoning around such xenophobic rhetoric. Those with supreme power of control are responsible for deciding who is labelled terrorist based on national interest. Liberal Western democratic powers, such as the USA and the UK, have set a precedent for the ‘War Against Terrorism’ that has shaped media representations and the very structure of society.

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3.JK Essay-Dissertation Sample-To what extent is terrorism a social construct.pdf