In order to explore the question of terrorism, this paper will develop a testable hypothesis
based on four different levels of analysis. First, this paper will describe these four levels of
analysis: individual, national, systematic, and global. Next, this paper will determine various
factors behind terrorism based on these multiple levels of analysis. Finally, this paper will
develop a plausible explanation for why people become terrorists.
The four levels of analysis are at the individual, national, systematic, and global levels.
The individual level deals with what appeals to the individual and his or her personal beliefs,
desires, and convictions. The national level deals with what is good for the nation, or what
someone thinks is good for his or her nation. The systematic level of analysis focuses on a
number of nations and how they are interrelated. This analysis often focuses on geopolitics and
the distribution of power. Finally, the global system addresses the world as a whole and how
events affect the globe as a single unit.
Why do people become terrorists? Potential factors for this question exist on all levels of
analysis. On the individual level, a person’s beliefs and convictions might lead him or her to this
level of extremist violence. This may occur due to religious beliefs or due to some other belief of
something larger than themselves. On a national level, people might see terrorism as a form of
patriotism. A terrorist could potentially see his or her violence as defending or protecting their
own country. On a systematic level, people who become terrorists are often from countries on
the lower end of the power spectrum. While many terrorists do not come from exceptionally
weak countries, these countries are frequently on the lower end of the power spectrum. For
example many Middle Eastern countries have historically been dominated by Europe, the United
States, and Russia. This disparity of power forces these people to take extreme measures to
“even the odds.” Finally, on a global level, terrorism may be appealing to some due to its
contradiction to typical global standards and codes of ethics. Terrorists are able to not only
captivate the entire world, but hold it in terror through their use of extreme and unpredictable
violence. Thus, the final hypothesis is: people become terrorists due to their belief in something
greater than themselves – i.e. religion, patriotism, global fear.