“It's More Than Just a Name”: A Theoretical Approach to Eradicating Terrorism Through Propositions of Organizational Naming

Abstract

The following article is divided into two parts, each offering a series of propositions highlighting the effects and implications of organizational naming and labeling practices and their subsequent effects on the framing of terrorist organizations and activity. In the first half, the author will highlight the importance of organizational naming and labeling in terms of how it shapes terrorism discourse. Then, the author will discuss the importance of recognizing the implications of how the events of 11 September 2001 were framed by then president George W. Bush. Important to both discussions is the relevance of organizational communication theory, particularly in terms of individual sensemaking and the communicative constitution of organizations.