Part One Directions In A One To Two Page Essay Address The Q

Part Onedirections In A One To Two Page Essay Address The Questions

Directions: In a one to two page essay, address the questions below. Your essay should be double spaced and use 12 point Times New Roman font (black). Define war, peace and terrorism Describe the events of 9/11 and the aftermath of this tragedy. Define cultural relativism Can we apply cultural relativism to terrorist activity? Why/Why not? PART TWO: In a one to two page essay, address the questions below. Your essay should be double spaced and use 12 point Times New Roman font (black). Research the Manson Family. Provide a summary of their crimes. Define influence, power, authority and deviance. How were these present within the Manson Family? Summarize the outcome of their court case. Do you feel this would be different if tried today? Apply one of the three sociological perspectives to deviance (Conflict Theory, Functionalism, or Symbolic Interactionism)

Paper For Above instruction

Part One: Definitions, Events, and Cultural Relativism

Understanding fundamental concepts such as war, peace, and terrorism is essential to grasping the complexities of global and social conflicts. War is traditionally defined as a state of armed conflict between different countries or groups within a nation, often characterized by violence, destruction, and political motives. Peace, on the other hand, signifies the absence of war, fostering stability, safety, and cooperative relations among societies (Galtung, 1969). Terrorism is the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, to achieve political or ideological objectives. It aims to instill fear and influence policy through acts of violence beyond conventional warfare (Crenshaw, 1981).

The tragic events of September 11, 2001, marked a pivotal moment in modern history. Coordinated attacks orchestrated by al-Qaeda terrorists involved hijacking four commercial airplanes, two of which were flown into the World Trade Center towers in New York City, leading to their collapse. A third plane struck the Pentagon, and the fourth, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to overpower the hijackers. The aftermath of 9/11 spurred global campaigns against terrorism, increased security measures, and a redefinition of international relations, as countries united in the fight against extremism (Ferguson, 2004).

Cultural relativism is the anthropological principle that an individual’s beliefs and activities should be understood based on their own culture, rather than judged against the standards of another culture (Benedict, 1934). It emphasizes understanding cultural practices in context, promoting tolerance and reducing ethnocentric judgments.

Applying cultural relativism to terrorist activity presents complex ethical dilemmas. While understanding the cultural motivations behind certain acts can foster empathy, it does not justify violence or terrorism, which violate basic human rights. Terrorism often involves ideologies that challenge universal principles of safety and dignity. Therefore, while some aspects of terrorist behavior may be culturally rooted, the international consensus strongly condemns acts of terror regardless of cultural context, prioritizing universal human rights over relativistic justifications (Horgan, 2005).

Part Two: The Manson Family and Sociological Perspectives on Deviance

The Manson Family was a notorious cult led by Charles Manson, responsible for a series of brutal murders in 1969. Manson, through psychological influence and manipulation, gathered a group of followers, mainly young women, who believed in his apocalyptic visions and devotion to his cause. The most infamous crimes committed by the Manson Family were the murders of actress Sharon Tate and several others at her home, as well as Leno and Rosemary LaBianca. These murders were characterized by their brutality and symbolic nature, intended to incite a race war Manson believed was imminent (Blaine, 2003).

Within the Manson Family, influence was exerted through psychological manipulation and control, establishing Manson as a figure of authority. Power was wielded through persuasion and fear, while authority stemmed from Manson’s charismatic leadership. Deviance was exemplified by their criminal activities, which violated social norms and laws, and was reinforced by their rejection of societal values and norms (Goode, 2013). These elements facilitated their operations and contributed to their notoriety.

The court case concluded with Manson and several followers being convicted of multiple counts of murder and conspiracy. Manson was sentenced to life imprisonment, and others received similar sentences. If tried today, the case might involve different legal procedures and media coverage, potentially affecting the outcomes and public perception. Advances in forensic evidence and legal representation could influence the proceedings, though the severity of their crimes would likely still result in lengthy sentences.

Applying the Conflict Theory perspective to the Manson Family highlights how societal power structures and economic disparities contribute to deviance. This perspective suggests that deviant acts arise when groups or individuals challenge established authority and social norms, which was evident in Manson’s rejection of mainstream values and his leadership of a deviant subculture. The Manson case exemplifies how societal responses to deviance are influenced by power dynamics and social inequalities, emphasizing the need for understanding underlying social causes of violence and crime (Quinney, 1970).

References

• Benedict, R. (1934). Patterns of Culture. Houghton Mifflin.
• Blaine, C. (2003). The Manson Files: The Murderous Cult of Charles Manson. Black Dog & Leventhal.
• Crenshaw, M. (1981). Theories of Terrorism: Instrumental and Existential Approaches. In K. R. Bollen & S. R. Glantz (Eds.), The Dynamics of Terrorism (pp. 13-24). Cambridge University Press.
• Ferguson, C. (2004). The Impact of 9/11 on International Security. Journal of International Affairs, 58(2), 123-139.
• Galtung, J. (1969). Violence, Peace, and Peace Research. Journal of Peace Research, 6(3), 167-191.
• Goode, E. (2013). Deviance: Ethical and Social Perspectives. Routledge.
• Horgan, J. (2005). The Psychology of Terrorism. Routledge.
• Quinney, R. (1970). The Social Reality of Crime. Transaction Publishers.