Domestic Terrorism In The USA Critical Thinking Sample

Domestic terrorism is a terrorism that occurs and operates within the territory of the US without foreign direction, and involves dangerous acts conducted by nationals against own country, elements of the U.S. government or civilian population. Domestic terrorism poses a threat only for host country, its institutions and citizens, and does not involve foreign targets, institutions or victims.
Different hate groups and radical movements in the USA try to provide their extremists ideologies and take violent actions in accordance with them. Today, there are numerous socialist, anarchist, and minority nationalist groups, and animal rights and environmental extremist movements in the US ("Domestic Terrorism", 2011). White racist movement remains major contributor to domestic terrorism. Representatives of the white supremacist skinhead movement, driven by racial supremacy and xenophobic goals, have executed different attacks on innocent people (Judson, 2004). For example, Wisconsin Sikh temple shooting was an offence committed by a white supremacist Wade Michael Page, who shot and killed seven people.
Although the US domestic extremist groups are not as well-known and dangerous as some international groups, they violate the system of homeland security and pose a threat to a domestic stability and peace. Domestic terrorism affects the national security on different levels. It threatens the economic sphere, brings human and material losses, and reduces investment and tourist attractiveness. Moreover, domestic terrorism undermines stability of the constitutional order and government institutions. Acts of terrorism indicate that the State authorities fail to guarantee and preserve harmony and stability in the society. Furthermore, domestic terrorism tarnishes the country’s image and perception of the US as a great power. Therefore, domestic terrorism should be ranked as one of the greatest to America's national security.

References

Domestic Terrorism and Homegrown Violent Extremism Lexicon. (2011, November 10). Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A), Homeland Counterterrorism Division. Retrieved from
https://info.publicintelligence.net/DHS-ExtremismLexicon.pdf
Judson, K. (2004). Terrorism, Domestic (United States). Encyclopedia of Espionage, Intelligence, and Security. Retrieved from http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Domestic_Terrorism.aspx