Coming Up With Powerful Ideas For A PhD Dissertation Related To Terrorism
Developing a great topic for a PhD dissertation related to terrorism is important in creating a great graduate document. Some students can easily come up with good topics, but others struggle to develop something original and unique. Here are some powerful ideas for you to consider:
- How have terrorist acts that occurred shaped some of the domestic security practices in high population areas such as major cities, depot centers and airports?
- How do the media portray terrorist attacks in western countries versus terrorist attacks occurring in other parts of the world?
- How do concerns about terrorism affect the way nations negotiate peace and trade treaties in the Middle East? Are countries in this region being unfairly held responsible?
- Provide a critical analysis of major acts of terrorism in the last 20 years. How has media affected the way people perceive threats?
- Discuss the trouble with counter-terrorist actions when there is a suspicion of nuclear weapons in the equation. Is the presence of weapons used as a means to justify pre-emptive acts?
- Do you believe the United States should react aggressively to terrorists attack occurring within borders of its western allies?
- Discuss the differences and similarities between public reaction and media content in the wake of the 9/11 attacks?
- How do terrorism attacks affect citizens’ sense of freedom? Do you believe the psychological toll on a people can be just as damaging to a nation as the violence?
- What role does geography play in terrorist acts from around the globe? Use specific geographical regions to present your case and discuss how things can differ if other situations existed.
- Should providing information – whether accidentally or intentionally – to terrorists face lesser punishment pending the kind of participation or information communicated?
- Should terrorists face an international tribunal rather than be brought to trial within the nation in which the acts where committed against?
- How is counter-terrorism as a form of deterrence different and similar to terrorism? And why is the international community largely supportive of deterrence efforts?
- Explore the ways in which the media frames terrorism, the federal government and its response or actions, and the public. What are the biggest concerns about the media’s power?
- How do the European and American public perceive the “War on Terror” differently and similarly? What factors play into perceptions?
- How has the rise and prevalence of weapons of mass rhetoric shaped the way the United States has perceived its need to defend the homeland at all costs?