Terrorism from Above and Below

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the problem of terrorism from above (i.e., state actors) and from below (i.e., nonstate actors) in the modern world system. It specifically deals with the essence and characteristics of terrorism, and the connection between its two forms, by relating two specific cases, in the modern world system, the contestation over economic resources and power, the resistance to domination and repression, and religious and ideological fundamentalism have increased the occurrence of all forms of terrorism. As we shall see, the frequency, intensity, and volume of terrorism have increased alongside the development of global capitalism (Hochschild 1998; Kiernan 2007; Thornton 1987) and with advancements in technology and the produc tion of powerful weapons (Black 2004: 21–22). Furthermore, rapid technological revolutions and communications networks and their advancements have more globalized the threat of terrorism from a distance and have multiplied its destructive capacity (Lizardo 2008: 102).