1. Background Conditions
First stage of the process

2. Background factors
These are the social, economic and political conditions in a country which may be causing inequality, resentment and anger to build.
These factors could be happening in any combination – they all tend to link together and can cause each other – it can by a “mutually reinforcing symbiotic relationship”. Basically as things get crappy in one area of life, this often causes the crappiness to spread into other areas of life.
These factors may be happening in every country in the world, all of the time to some degree or other – and they usually do not lead to terrorism. Terrorism is only one of a number of outcomes, and it is the least likely of all outcomes, mostly people just get on with their lives as best they can.
When writing about these background factors you should try to show how they can all link together.

3. Poverty
This is the factor which has the weakest relationship with terrorism, however, it is closely linked to all of the other factors.
Poverty may make it easier for terrorist groups to recruit in poorer areas, particularly in areas where people living in poverty are able to see massive levels on inequality in society
However, countries in the world where we see massive levels of poverty, yet have no significant terrorist problem
P 16 – Activity – Discuss and write up answers

4. Globalisation What does capitalism mean?
Globalisation leads to unequal power relationship between the rich part of the world and the poorer part of the world, workers in poorer countries are exploited by companies from richer countries who want to get away with paying lower wages and having worse working conditions
Some people can be pushed out of jobs in certain industries, as competition from abroad means goods come in cheaper from abroad – this means unemployment
Meanwhile, new technology and the globalisation of culture has meant that people in poorer countries can see how people in richer countries live
New technology has also meant that people can communicate with others all around the country who feel the same way as them about the government and the way things are going
Activity p.17 – discuss and write down your answer

5. Demographic Strain
This means changes in the population in the country – this could be caused by a growing or falling birth rate, or the immigration or emigration of a large number of people
Terrorism would be most closely associated with large numbers of young men – especially those who are single or unemployed.
Countries with ageing populations tend to have lower levels of violence in general
p.18 – discuss answers to the question

6. Political and Institutional Order
This is the factor which is most closely linked with terrorism
The type of government that a country has can affect how likely that country is to be attacked by a terrorist organisation, or to allow a terrorist organisation to form
In countries where the government has no respect for human rights, and is more violent towards its own people, then terrorism is more likely as society in general tends to be more violent.
Countries that are transitioning from dictatorship to democracy tend to be the most unstable, and this means they are most at risk of terrorism. This can be seen in Libya, Iraq and Afghanistan where the electoral process has been affected by terrorism.
Discuss and write up activities on p.20

7. Political Transformation and Instability
This is really linked to the last one
In a country where the government is unstable, or where there is a transition happening between two different types of government, then there can be a “power vacuum” – this means that there is no effective government in place which can have control over the whole country. This gives terrorist groups the opportunity to fill that space
In Somalia – there was no government for 19 years – this meant that the whole country was split up between warring factions, there was no effective law in place and so the terrorist group Al Shabab was able to build, recruit members and run operations without any trouble.
Political transformation in Libya – since Colonel Gadhafi has been overthrown and killed has meant that there are two governments claiming that they have the right to rule, so no-one is effectively able to police the country, which means terrorist groups have been able to thrive – ISIS have managed to gain a strong base in the country.
Activity p21 – discuss and write – you can effectively join this up with Political and Institutional Order

8. Identity and Cultural Clash
Samuel Huntingdon talked about the “Clash of Civilisations” – in the past there was a clash between communism and capitalism, but capitalism (he said) won, and so in the future the clashes will be between different cultures and religions.
It could be argued that if you are part of a culture, ethnicity or religion, you can find things that bind you together with many other people – and also you can find differences between your group and other groups. These groups might be more visible in society- because they dress differently, or have different colour skin. So it can be easier to blame that group for the problems that your society faces.
Common identities can bind us together , and can help to inspire feelings of loyalty – we naturally feel closer to people who we feel are more like us. When differences between different groups of human beings are highlighted, then there can be clashes between them.

9. Global Economic and Political Order
This links back to what we looked at when we were starting the topic and thinking about the Cold War. Some countries have historically been more powerful than others and have been trying to exert influence and maintain control over other parts of the world – this has, in some cases, led to “proxy wars”.
Modernisation and the development of global capitalism is often seen as foreign dominance, and so can create resentment towards the West.
Share answers on page 23

10. Contagion
Just like diseases can be contagious and spread from one person to another, terrorism can spread from one population to another.
Terrorism spreads across time and space
If there is a history of terrorism in a country then there is a mythology – it can be glorified, terrorists from the past may be seen as heroes. This can increase the chances of terrorism occurring in the future.
Terrorism spreads across borders. Terrorist activity in a country can serve to destabilise neighbouring countries, ideas, weapons and fighters may move between countries.
Share answers on page 24

11. Sudden Economic Downturns
The Global Financial Crisis of 2008
This was caused by a banking crisis in the USA and the UK – it had a knock-on effect all around the world and caused increases in unemployment and homelessness in many countries.
This can cause instability – which can feed into many of the other causes of terrorism.
It is a background factor, but not one of the closest linked factors – it just tends to feed into the others and make them worse.
Discuss and write down answers from page 25

12. Climate Change
Environmental shocks tend to affect people in the poorest countries most
People can be forced off land, leading to displacement and demographic strain.
Climate change has been caused by people in richer countries – another major inequality.
Share answers from page 26

13. All of these factors can be found to some degree in most countries of the world
Inmost cases they will not lead to terrorism, as people just try and get on with their lives as best they can.
However, without any of these factors there would be nothing to fuel anger and resentment