Discuss the issue of international terrorism in the context of rapid population growth

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Rapid population growth is a factor that contributes to civil unrest, violence, and international strife. Overpopulation leads to higher unemployment, rapid urbanization, declining public health, environmental degradation, economic stagnation, and a large youthful population. Young people in Third World countries are in destitute poverty and have little hope for a better future; yet at the same time, they have a gnawing awareness that people in industrialized nations are much more affluent. Such conditions create an "Aspiration Bomb." Many young people see violence and terrorism as their only avenue for achieving a better life.
In a report on population, the U.S. National Security Council noted: "Recent experience, in Iran and other countries, shows that this younger age group, frequently unemployed and crowded into urban slums, is particularly susceptible to extremism, terrorism, and violence as outlets for frustration. On balance, these factors add up to a growing potential for social unrest, political instability, mass migrations, and possible conflicts over control of land and resources."

Werner Fornos makes the following comments about the perils of the "Aspiration Bomb": "Fully 60 percent of the Third World is under 20 years of age; half are 15 years or less. These population pressures create a volatile mixture of youthful aspirations that when coupled with economic and political frustrations help form a large pool of potential terrorists. The "Aspiration Bomb" may well present a greater threat to U.S. security than the atomic bomb. This is because while there is always the hope that mutual deterrence or common sense will preclude the use of nuclear weapons, there is no such countervailing influence against the violence and frustration embodied in the Aspiration Bomb."

In the past decade there has been high levels of terrorist activities in an increasing number of countries, including Egypt, Somalia, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Israel, Nigeria, Kenya, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Libya.