Test
Bank for Understanding Terrorism 8th Edition by Martin
ISBN: 9781071919934
Understanding Terrorism (8th)
ISBN 9781071919934 | Chapter 1
Total Questions: 69
Multiple Choice (28)
Q1. [Multiple Choice] · Cognitive Domain: Knowledge “Symbolism” of targets refers to ______.
a) creative interpretation of motives
b) creative discussion of terrorist attacks
c) redefinition of “enemy” interests by extremists and terrorists ✓ correct
d) propaganda designed to confuse opponents
Q2. [Multiple Choice] · Cognitive Domain: Comprehension Traditional terrorism is characterized by ______.
a) skillful use of the Internet and social networking media
b) desired acquisition of high-intensity weapons and weapons of mass destruction
c) explicit grievances championing specific classes or ethnonational groups ✓ correct
d) loose cell-based networks
Q3. [Multiple Choice] · Cognitive Domain: Application
Which example would best be characterized as New Terrorism?
a) a religious movement using small arms to target political figures
b) individuals within a network hacking into government records ✓ correct
c) a car bombing of an influential CEO
d) an organization bombing synagogues
Q4. [Multiple Choice] · Cognitive Domain: Comprehension The New Terrorism is characterized by ______.
a) asymmetrical tactics ✓ correct
b) use of small arms and explosives
c) surgical selection of targets
d) clearly identifiable organizations or movements
Q5. [Multiple Choice] · Cognitive Domain: Analysis Which statement best characterizes terrorism?
a) It is usually directed against hard targets.
b) It is used to communicate a message to small groups.
c) It is committed with the intention to affect a target audience. ✓ correct
d) It is an overarching belief system that terrorism used to justify their behavior.
Q6. [Multiple Choice] · Cognitive Domain: Analysis Modern terrorists have ushered in a period of “globalized” terrorism through ______.
a) extensive contact with public relations firms
b) new information technologies and the Internet ✓ correct
c) establishing diplomatic relations with sympathetic governments
d) working with established political parties
Q7. [Multiple Choice] · Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
What is the precursor to terrorism?
a) symbolism
b) radicalism
c) extremism ✓ correct
d) idealism
Q8. [Multiple Choice] · Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Traditional terrorism is characterized by ______.
a) use of weapons of mass destruction
b) use of religious justifications for revolutionary violence
c) indiscriminate selection of targets
d) relatively “surgical” selection of targets ✓ correct
Q9. [Multiple Choice] · Cognitive Domain: Application
Which terrorist behavior best fits within the antiquity era?
a) the crucifixion of those who did not submit to the Roman Empire
b) the assassination of a tyrant of a kingdom ✓ correct
c) the destruction of property by zealots
d) the execution of a Jacobin adversary
Q10. [Multiple Choice] · Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
The New Terrorism is characterized by ______.
a) well-established networks with traditional lines of command and control
b) use of ideological and ethno-nationalist justifications for revolutionary violence
c) relatively “surgical” selection of targets
d) loose, cell-based networks with minimal lines of command and control ✓ correct
Q11. [Multiple Choice] · Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
According to Nehemia Friedland, ______ terrorism is a strategy of the weak.
a) state
b) insurgent ✓ correct
c) religious
d) domestic
Q12. [Multiple Choice] · Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Which explains the Reign of Terror?
a) Feudal kings and lords fought for lands, causing strife among the commoners.
b) Tyrant rulers repressed the expression of ideas from people they perceived to be dangerous.
c) The Roman Empire executed many violent demonstrations of power to repress its citizens.
d) A radical Jacobin-dominated government sanctioned terrorist activities to achieve political goals of a revolutionary ideology. ✓ correct
Q13. [Multiple Choice] · Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Which was the most commonly used terrorist tactic during the Ancient and Medieval Middle East era?
a) raids
b) imprisonments
c) assassinations ✓ correct
d) crucifixions
Q14. [Multiple Choice] · Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Political violence is conceptually ______.
a) alwaysmala prohibitabehavior
b) alwaysmala in sebehavior
c) arguably eithermala prohibitaormala in se ✓ correct
d) impossible to categorize
Q15. [Multiple Choice] · Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
The just war doctrine ______.
a) is a philosophy for how to be victorious in warfare
b) originally referred only to warfare between kingdoms and rebels
c) is a philosophy for how to suppress rebellions
d) originally referred only to warfare between nations and cities ✓ correct
Q16. [Multiple Choice] · Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Which has the ability to create abstract ideological linkages between terrorists and their victims?
a) territorialism
b) radicalism
c) sentimentalism
d) symbolism ✓ correct
Q17. [Multiple Choice] · Cognitive Domain: Application
Which is an example of amala prohibitacrime?
a) premeditated murder
b) rape
c) gambling ✓ correct
d) robbery
Q18. [Multiple Choice] · Cognitive Domain: Analysis
Which statement about the ancient world is most accurate?
a) Terrorism, as we know it, did not exist.
b) Extremism, as we know it, did not exist.
c) Stories of state repression and political violence were common. ✓ correct
d) Terrorism and extremism were well-defined concepts.
Q19. [Multiple Choice] · Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
During the Roman Age, the empire ______.
a) practiced what we would now call democratic reform
b) engaged in demonstrations of diplomatic persuasion and mercy for those who did not submit to Roman authority
c) experienced few incidents of regicide
d) engaged in demonstrations of terror against those who did not submit to Roman authority ✓ correct
Q20. [Multiple Choice] · Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
What was the termzealotderived from?
a) Jewish religious rebels ✓ correct
b) incidents during the French Revolution
c) Roman use of excessive force
d) 13th century Persian assassins
Q21. [Multiple Choice] · Cognitive Domain: Analysis
Which statement pertaining to the just war doctrine is true?
a) It is not typically used by extremists to justify acts of extreme violence.
b) It can only be adapted to justify ethnic and religious extremism in the modern era.
c) It is an ideal and a moralistic philosophy. ✓ correct
d) It is comprised of several components.
Q22. [Multiple Choice] · Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
The Reign of Terror ______.
a) occurred during unrest in 19th Century Europe
b) was the result of oppression by the Romans
c) exemplifies state terrorism carried out to further the goals of a revolutionary ideology ✓ correct
d) occurred in Afghanistan during the reign of the Taliban
Q23. [Multiple Choice] · Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Which is championed by several ancient writers?
a) regicide
b) tyrannicide ✓ correct
c) patricide
d) episcopicide
Q24. [Multiple Choice] · Cognitive Domain: Analysis
Why is the Luddite movement known for advocating the destruction of imperial and capitalist society?
a) The Luddites attacked government officials to destabilize the existing order.
b) The Luddites destroyed machinery of new textile factories as industrialization threatened jobs. ✓ correct
c) The Luddites killed owners of factories due to maltreatment of their workers.
d) The Luddites orchestrated a peasant revolution in the hopes that imperial rule would end.
Q25. [Multiple Choice] · Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
English workers who engaged in industrial sabotage were known as ______.
a) thesicarii
b) populists
c) zealots
d) the Luddites ✓ correct
Q26. [Multiple Choice] · Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Which terrorist movement was formed in the 19th century by young Russian students who were dissatisfied with the czarist regime?
a) People’s Will ✓ correct
b) Luddites
c) Zealots
d) Al-Qa’ida
Q27. [Multiple Choice] · Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Which best describes Theodore Kaczynski?
a) He was a famous Bolshevik leader.
b) He is the Unabomber. ✓ correct
c) He is a self-professed right-wing ideologue.
d) He was the mastermind behind the World Trade Center bombing.
Q28. [Multiple Choice] · Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Which best describes Ramzi Yousef?
a) He was the Unabomber.
b) He was a well-known anarchist.
c) He was very active within the Palestinian movement.
d) He was responsible for the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center. ✓ correct
True/False (16)
Q29. [True/False] · Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
The just war doctrine condemns the use of violence for any reason.
a) True
b) False ✓ correct
Correct answer: False
Q30. [True/False] · Cognitive Domain: Knowledge Terrorism is considered a modern phenomenon.
a) True
b) False ✓ correct
Correct answer: False
Q31. [True/False] · Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
The Reign of Terror is a good example of state terrorism carried out to further the goals of a revolutionary ideology.
a) True ✓ correct
b) False
Correct answer: True
Q32. [True/False] · Cognitive Domain: Knowledge Terrorist attacks involve different degrees of criminal skill.
a) True ✓ correct
b) False
Correct answer: True
Q33. [True/False] · Cognitive Domain: Knowledge European terrorists during the 19th Century launched indiscriminate attacks against civilian targets.
a) True
b) False ✓ correct
Correct answer: False
Q34. [True/False] · Cognitive Domain: Knowledge Symbolism is considered to be a central feature of terrorism.
a) True ✓ correct b) False
Correct answer: True
Q35. [True/False] · Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
In medieval Europe, behavior which the modern world considers to be terrorism was common to warfare.
a) True ✓ correct
b) False
Correct answer: True
Q36. [True/False] · Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Terrorism is only considered amala prohibitacrime.
a) True
b) False ✓ correct
Correct answer: False
Q37. [True/False] · Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Jus in bellorefers to the correct behavior while waging war, whereasjus ad bellumrefers to having the correct conditions for waging war in the first place.
a) True ✓ correct
b) False
Correct answer: True
Q38. [True/False] · Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Ramzi Yousef bombed the World Trade Center.
a) True ✓ correct
b) False
Correct answer: True
Q39. [True/False] · Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
The Theodore “Ted” Kaczynski case illustrates a high degree of criminal sophistication.
a) True
b) False ✓ correct
Correct answer: False
Q40. [True/False] · Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
The People’s Will was a product of student dissatisfaction of the czarist regime and promotion of principles of Marxism and anarchism.
a) True ✓ correct
b) False
Correct answer: True
Q41. [True/False] · Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Regicide, the killing of kings, was common during the Roman age.
a) True ✓ correct
b) False
Correct answer: True
Q42. [True/False] · Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
During the Medieval Ages, people advocated for tyrannicide for the greater good of the citizens.
a) True
b) False ✓ correct
Correct answer: False
Q43. [True/False] · Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
The Revolutionary Tribunal during the French Revolution is considered to be a symbol of both revolutionary justice and state terrorism.
a) True ✓ correct
b) False
Correct answer: True
Q44. [True/False] · Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
The Irish Republican Army’s (IRA’s) assassination targets represent enemy social or political establishments.
a) True ✓ correct
b) False
Correct answer: True
Essay (25)
Q45. [Essay] · Cognitive Domain: Analysis
Briefly explain the significance of the People’s Will in Russia.
Suggested answer: Sample response: The ideological origins of modern left-wing terrorism can be traced to the movements in the 19th century, when communist and anarchist idealists advocated for the downfall of imperial and capitalist society. The People’s Will in Russia was a direct byproduct of the student dissatisfaction with the czarist regime. Russian college students were taught Marxism and anarchism philosophies. The People’s Will was a conspiratorial terrorist organization, which became one of the first examples of revolutionary vanguard strategy. They carefully planned out violence against government officials resulting in the central state installing a repressive police state who imprisoned and harassed the memories of People’s Will.
Q46. [Essay] · Cognitive Domain: Analysis
Briefly describe the differences between New Terrorism and traditional terrorism.
Suggested answer: Sample response: New Terrorism is characterized by loose cell-based networks with minimal lines of control and command, while traditional terrorism is characterized by distinct movements and organizations. New Terrorism often involves a desire for acquiring high-intensity weapons and weapons of mass destruction, while traditional terrorism uses conventional weapons, often small arms and explosives. New Terrorism can have politically vague, mystical, or religious motivations, compared to traditional terrorism that has explicit grievances that advocate for ethnonational groups or specific groups. New Terrorism skillfully uses social media and the Internet, manipulating mass media, while traditional terrorism has carefully selected targets.
Q47. [Essay] · Cognitive Domain: Analysis
Why is it important to understand historical perspectives on terrorism?
Suggested answer: Sample response: Terrorism has been an integral part of history. Historical events have similarities in origins, motives, and rationales for violent behavior and extreme beliefs. The history of violence is a spectrum of common political and moral rationalizations that can be used to justify terroristic behavior.
Q48. [Essay] · Cognitive Domain: Analysis
How is the “just war doctrine” considered a legitimate reason to engage in violence?
Suggested answer: Sample response: The just war doctrine, a moralistic philosophy and ideal, evaluates the wrongs and rights of warfare. It describes how people and nations engage in war believing that their cause was just while deeming their opponents’ cause as unjust. The concept is so generic that it can be adapted to any violent activity to justify ethnic, national, racial, and religious extremism.
Q49. [Essay] · Cognitive Domain: Application
Under what circumstances is political violence considered amala prohibitaact?
Suggested answer: Sample response: Mala prohibita acts are declared by society as wrong. To ensure public order, state legislation has labeled these acts as crime. Acts that are considered immoral are a way to justify the cause for political violence to prevent disorder and regulate behavior. Compared to mala in se, which are acts that are universally immoral, mala prohibita acts can be legal in some societies but not others. For example, protests are mala prohibita acts as they are wrong, but murders are mala in se and inherently wrong in any context.
Q50. [Essay] · Cognitive Domain: Analysis
Describe why tyrannicide was championed by ancient writers.
Suggested answer: Sample response: Ancient writers advocated for the killing of tyrants or tyrannicide for the greater good of citizens or to appease the gods. Therefore, the public honored assassins who killed tyrants. Some conquerors and leaders set harsh examples by the eradication or exile of entire populations, while others repressed ideas that were dangerous, oftentimes through violence.
Q51. [Essay] · Cognitive Domain: Analysis
During the French revolution, how were revolutionary tribunals legitimate?
Suggested answer: Sample response: During the Reign of Terror, the French radical Jacobin-dominated government utilized the Revolutionary Tribunal to put perceived enemies against the new revolutionary Republic. As the centralized government of France at the time, revolutionary tribunals were legitimate as symbols of state terrorism and revolutionary justice because it was the use of state terrorism to carry out goals of a revolutionary ideology.
Q52. [Essay] · Cognitive Domain: Analysis
Discuss some of the factors that typically lead to terrorist violence.
Suggested answer: Sample response: Economic and social pressures, frustration stemming from political goals, and personal experience of terrorism can lead to terrorism. Terrorism is grounded in extremist beliefs that originate from intergroup conflict, chosen strategy, and group identity.
Q53. [Essay] · Cognitive Domain: Analysis
How is the modern war on terrorism justified?
Suggested answer: Sample response: Due to the Internet and new information technologies, violent extremist terrorist groups have adapted to bringing their conflicts to many people. As a result, cycles of violence derail normal routines and create global awareness to the terrorist group and cause. Since these threats brought on new challenges for policy makers to respond to, the modern war on terrorism is justified.
Q54. [Essay] · Cognitive Domain: Application
The case of Brentan Harrison Tarrant illustrates a low degree of criminal sophistication. Why?
Suggested answer: Sample response: Lone wolves are individual extremists and use a low degree of criminal sophistication. Lone wolves like Tarrant ? who was a white racial supremacist who killed Muslim worshippers in two mosques in New Zealand ? are racially or ideologically motivated to commit killing sprees and are not acting on behalf of an organized group.
Q55. [Essay] · Cognitive Domain: Application
How can the “just war doctrine” be applied to the actions of the Roman Empire?
Suggested answer: Sample response: The Roman Empire felt as though their cause of brutal suppression was just and right and their enemies’ cause was unjust. Romans crucified rebels who opposed Roman authority as a form of public execution, while Roman citizens were exempt from being crucified. This is an example of jus ad bellum, or having the right conditions of waging war. Crucifixion and other violent methods used by the Roman Empire are examples of jus in bello or the correct conditions during the war.
Q56. [Essay] · Cognitive Domain: Analysis
Discuss the four characteristics associated with terrorism from a layperson’s point of view.
Suggested answer: Sample response: Terrorism is the utilization of politically motivated violence, typically directed against soft targets such as civilians. Terrorism communicates messages to a larger group and has the intention to terrorize or affect a target audience.
Q57. [Essay] · Cognitive Domain: Application
How might nations justify politically motivated violence?
Suggested answer: Sample response: Nations can use justified politically motivated violence through mala prohibita and mala in se acts. Mala prohibita acts are behaviors that become illegal through legislation such as gambling and prostitution. These acts are deemed to be socially immoral and unacceptable, which promote politically motivated violence. The state takes the moral high ground and the position that state violence is justified to combat evil actions. Mala in se acts are universally immoral behaviors such as murder. For example, if opposing groups against the state are committing murders, then nations can justify politically motivated violence to maintain public order.
Q58. [Essay] · Cognitive Domain: Analysis
Behavior that we now define as terrorism is historically ancient. However, examples from the French Revolution and 19th-century Europe were arguably immediate precedents for modern terrorism. Why were these historical behaviors considered to be terrorism? Explain your answer.
Suggested answer: Sample response: During the French Revolution, the term terrorism was coined to describe the Reign of Terror. Many opponents of the radical Jacobin-dominated French state were put on trial, also known as the Revolutionary Tribunal, and then executed by the guillotine. The Reign of Terror is a good example of state terrorism. Another example was the Luddites, who were 19th century English workers who opposed economic and state transformation of the Industrial Revolution. The Luddites sabotaged textile and weaving machinery in protest. These acts disrupted the textile industry in England. Finally, the People’s Will in Russia were radical reformists who promoted ideals of Marxism and anarchism. These radicals committed terroristic violent behaviors such as shootings and bombings against government officials to drive out the czarist regime.
Q59. [Essay] · Cognitive Domain: Application
Provide some examples of terrorist attacks and explain how the significance of symbolism is applied to them.
Suggested answer: Sample response: Symbolism creates abstract ideological associations between terrorists and their targets. For example, the Irish Republican Army’s (IRA) assassination of Lord Louis Mountbatten symbolized enemy political or social establishments. Another example is the 1970s Latin American leftists who kidnapped business executives and government diplomats who symbolized capitalism and exploitation.
Q60. [Essay] · Cognitive Domain: Analysis
Is the “war on terrorism” truly a war? How has the New Terrorism affected and redefined how nations pursue warlike options?
Suggested answer: Sample response: The “war on terrorism” is truly a war. A reaction to the New Terrorism, the “war on terrorism” catalyzed wars such as the American warfare in Afghanistan and Iraq in the 2000s after the attacks of September 11th. Since New Terrorism significantly differs from traditional terrorism, nations must consider different warlike options. Nations have had to cooperate with other states to disrupt terrorist cells in various countries in different continents. Due to the new information technologies and the Internet, those engaging in the “war on terrorism” need to be equipped with cybersecurity measures and software to combat New Terrorism.
Q61. [Essay] · Cognitive Domain: Analysis
Compare and contrast the cases of Ramzi Yousef and Brenton Harrison Tarrant. How do they differ in criminal skill?
Suggested answer: Sample response: Brenton Harrison Tarrant was an Australian racial supremacist who attacked two Muslim mosques in New Zealand. Ramzi Yousef was an international terrorist who was behind the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Tarrant used a low degree of criminal sophistication as a lone wolf who believed in a specific ideology but not a part of an organized group. Yousef used a high degree of criminal organization as he meticulously planned his actions. He had connections to well-funded terrorists, knew how to make bombs and obtain the materials in a foreign country, and was adept at evasion. Both were captured and answered to their crimes.
Q62. [Essay] · Cognitive Domain: Analysis
What impact did the rise of the nation-state in the mid-17th-century have on warfare behavior?
Suggested answer: Sample response: The rise of the nation-state in the mid-17th century caused a change from open warfare to guerrilla warfare, insurgency, and terrorism. Before the rise of the nation-state, medieval warfare consisted of openly brutal warfare such as invasions driven by political discord between leaders and religious intolerance. After the rise of the nation-state, historical events such as the French Revolution represented the evolution of warfare behavior.
Q63. [Essay] · Cognitive Domain: Application
Using the just war doctrine, why were the French Reign of Terror and other similar acts of violence considered to be necessary to build a better future society?
Suggested answer: Sample response: The just war doctrine can be used to understand why acts of violence are essential to build a better society. The French Reign of Terror led by the radical Jacobin-dominated government captured opponents of the state and put them on trial before a Revolutionary Tribunal. The guillotine used to execute these opponents was regarded to be a civilized and enlightened tool of revolutionary justice as it provided a swift death. The Revolutionary Tribunal became a symbol of state terrorism and revolutionary justice to protect public order to build a better society. Similar acts of violence were justified further for the greater good to build a better society.
Q64. [Essay] · Cognitive Domain: Analysis
How should extremism be analyzed? How can extremism lead to terrorism?
Suggested answer: Sample response: Extremism is a radical assertion of one’s political values. The concept of extremism should be analyzed through the content of one’s values and the style of how that person expresses their beliefs. One should analyze how one expresses their beliefs and which belief one acts upon. Extremism can lead one to commit terrorist acts which they use specific values to justify violent behavior. Terrorists may use these violent acts to communicate their extremist belief to a larger group.
Q65. [Essay] · Cognitive Domain: Analysis
Discuss the role of symbolism. Are the objectification and dehumanization of targets merely labels used to excuse political violence?
Suggested answer: Sample response: Symbolism is a major characteristic of terrorism as terrorist targets signify the righteousness of the terrorist’s cause and evil of the adversary. Terrorists use symbolism to rationalize extreme violence which can be manipulated to fit any target to the terrorists’ interests. As a result, terrorists can excuse political violence through labeling human targets who as a result become dehumanized and objectified as terrorists craft symbolic meaning from violent acts.
Q66. [Essay] · Cognitive Domain: Analysis
Explain the difference between extremism and terrorism. At what point do extremist thoughts become terrorist acts?
Suggested answer: Sample response: Extremism is a characteristic that is radical in opinion, especially any political opinions. Extremism is a predecessor of terrorism, as those extremist thoughts can drive people to commit violent behavior to express these beliefs. Terrorism is the use of violence motivated by politics, typically directed against soft targets such as civilians, which is used to communicate a message to a large group with the intention to terrorize a target audience. Terrorist acts are an expression of extremist thoughts.
Q67. [Essay] · Cognitive Domain: Application
Describe a historical terrorist event and apply the “just war” doctrine to the event.
Suggested answer: Sample response: During the French Revolution, the radical Jacobin-dominated government believed their behavior during the Reign of Terror through trials (Revolutionary Tribunal) and execution using the guillotine was justified. Criteria for if a war is just are divided into jus ad bellum (justice of war), jus in bello (justice in war), and jus post bellum (justice after war). The jus ad bellum is the radical state having power after overthrowing the previous regime. The jus in bello is the guillotine that was responsible for many executions during the Reign of Terror.
Q68. [Essay] · Cognitive Domain: Application
Describe a movement that in your opinion is a “freedom fighting” movement. Compare and contrast it with one that in your opinion is a “terrorist” movement.
Suggested answer: Sample response: The modern Hamas movement is a “freedom fighting” movement who have applied the just war doctrine. Hamas consider their cause as just and methods used appropriate relative to the actions of their oppressors. Hamas believes they are freedom fighters who are waging a just war and allude to the Koran. An example of a terrorist movement is the Roman Empire expansion. To showcase Roman authority, rebels were crucified. In conquered territories, the Romans used violent terrorist behaviors to demonstrate that there would be no mercy against those who went against Roman rule. Both movements thought that their causes were just. The Hamas movement was trying to fight against oppressors, while the Roman Empire were the oppressors who conquered territories.
Q69. [Essay] · Cognitive Domain: Application
Provide an example of how new information technologies and the Internet have created unprecedented opportunities for terrorist groups.
Suggested answer: Sample response: New Terrorism is characterized by using the Internet and social media and manipulating mass media. These new information technologies allow terrorists to bring their wars to many people. Cycles of violence such as mass casualty attacks are reported online which raises global awareness. For example, Brenton Harrison Tarrant live streamed his first attack on Facebook after uploading his manifesto online. This communicated his extremist beliefs and actions to a global audience.