No country is protected from various types of foreign and domestic threats. Terrorism has always been one of the most serious issues of homeland security, threatening the health and safety of citizens and the welfare of the country. Since terrorism is a major social threat, it can be considered in the framework of social criminological theories. For example, according to the low self-control theory, individuals unable to control themselves are insensitive to others and are more likely to commit crimes (Tibbetts, 2018). This theory may help identify the psychological portrait of a terrorist and the reasons for joining terrorist groups.
Terrorism and similar threats have a significant influence on the criminal justice system of the country. For example, after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, American legislation has been elaborated in terms of anti-terrorist measures. New task forces were created, and a system of courts and correction measures for criminals involved in terrorist actions was developed (Veilleux-Lepage, 2020). It is possible to notice that the issue affected all branches of the criminal justice system: the legislature, the judiciary, and the executive branch. Moreover, increasing terrorism led to multiple discussions on the psychology of criminal and social aspects of crime (Tibbetts, 2018). It proves that terrorism can be viewed from the point of social criminological theories.
The problem of terrorism and other threats to homeland security has major negative effects on the criminal justice system and society. First of all, terrorist acts threaten the lives and health of civilians. Secondly, they harm the economy of the country and negatively influence its international positions (Oliver et al., 2019). Moreover, specific groups of the population can be especially affected by terrorist acts. For example, as a result of the terror of Al-Qaeda and other Islamic terrorist organizations, many Muslims all around the world experience hatred and prejudice from the general public. As for the influence on the criminal justice system, additional attention to the problem of terrorism may distract national forces and civilians from other crimes, such as domestic violence and burglary.
The homeland security mission is to protect the country from various types of threats, including terrorism and national disasters. According to Oliver et al. (2019), stakeholders of this issue include “federal departments and agencies, state and local governments, and non-profit and nongovernmental organizations” (p. 22). The general public can also be called an important stakeholder since terrorist acts, and similar crimes threaten the lives and safety of civilians. However, federal, state, and local agencies remain responsible for the changes aimed at protecting the country and its people.
Various strategies have already been employed by the government to address terrorism and threats and protect the country from foreign and domestic conflicts. First of all, these measures include the creation of intelligence forces and border security to recognize and prevent the threat timely. Secondly, the critical infrastructure of the country is constantly protected from possible terrorist attacks. Moreover, national forces are trained for emergency response in case a conflict takes place (Oliver et al., 2019). Finally, educational measures, for example, public service advertising, are taken to raise the awareness of society about the threat of terrorism.
It is possible to say that some of the mentioned strategies can be considered more effective than others. For example, preventive measures, such as the education of the public and the development of intelligence, play a more significant role than changes in legislation. Additionally, Oliver et al. (2019) mention inadequate funding for security activities. Therefore, within the executive branch of the criminal justice system, anti-terrorism measures can be considered more successful, while legislature and funding are the areas still demanding development.
References
Oliver, W. M., Marion, N. E., & Hill, J. B. (2019). Introduction to homeland security: Policy, organization, and administration (2nd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Tibbetts, S. G. (2018). Criminological theory: The essentials (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.
Veilleux-Lepage, Y. (2020). How terror evolves: The emergence and spread of terrorist techniques. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.