"Terrorism and guerrilla warfare, whether justified as resistance to oppression or condemned as disrupting the rule of law, are as old as civilization itself. The power of the terrorist, however, has been magnified by modern weapons, including television, which he has learned to exploit." (Guerrillas and Terrorists) There are many definitions and forms of terrorism: biological and chemical, nuclear, international, cyber, criminal, environmental, and US Domestic terrorism are some examples. Usually, terrorists blackmail governments with hostages to reach their ultimate goals. "In the 1980's, kidnapping was the preferred action of terrorists groups." (World History People and Nations) In some incidents, terrorists kill unsuspecting, innocent people and themselves as well.
The Purpose of Terrorism:
Why do people become terrorists and inflict terror? What is their true purpose? Why do they have to destroy the remaining peace in our world? Before this research, I realize that terrorism took so many forms. Since terror means fear, horror, and fright, terrorism was a just "horrible thing" to me. Now, it is an issue that has a great impact on our society and world; it is not to be taken lightly.
Many analysts, researchers, and professors have tried to define the purpose of terrorism. Some believe that that can only be achieved when we know how the mind of a terrorist works.
Terrorists are like pests that one can not get rid of. Like a virus being exposed to anti-bodies, they just get stronger and "immune" to our defenses. "Terrorists are nothing if not adaptable. International terrorists have shifted tactics and targets many times over the years in response to changing circumstances. Shifting political fortunes and new antiterrori...
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...mocrats and Republicans. The Act would have allowed the information obtained in this way to be used in court. Rep. Bob Barr (R-Ga.) said: "We do not need to give our government vast new powers." Members of civil liberties groups agreed, saying that this provision would have violated people's right to privacy. Other lawmakers argued that tragedies such as the Oklahoma City bombing make it essential that the federal government be allowed to monitor militia groups more closely." ("Domestic Terrorism, Close up Foundation, Online")
Is pushing an old lady off train platforms, an act of terrorism? The victim is an innocent wrinkled-up aged woman and the person pushing her is a "terrorist" to the victim's family. Others might think of the person as a cruel maniac. Therefore, it is essential that one puts into consideration the thoughts of others before defining terrorism.
In order to better understand terrorism and the effect that technology may have, one needs to be cognizant of the different elements of terrorism. One dimension to start with is the general strategies of terrorism--how are terrorists trying to accomplish their goals. Tactics--a related component to strategies--stands out as the essence to terrorism. Other elements that will be covered include personal weapons and technological improvements that serve as an added bonus to personal weapons. Lastly, the latest, and most noxious, phenomenon of terrorism is mass destruction--the use of explosives and nuclear warfare.
In Module one, I learned that terrorism is a result of physical harm or deadly acts of force with the intent of a political outcome by the use of terror for coercion. There are various types of terrorism such as international terrorism and domestic terrorism. International terrorism occurs outside of the United States with a purpose to influence the policy of a government by intimidation. International and Domestic terrorism both involve violent acts dangerous to human life that violate federal and state laws. Domestic terrorism occurs within the United States with the intention of coercion or intimidation by way of mass destruction, etc. Some forms of terrorism include Improvised explosive devices (IED), kidnappings, suicide bombings and
Many analysts, researchers, and professors have tried to define the purpose of terrorism. Some believe that can only be achieved when we know how the mind of a terrorist works. The Encyclopedia Britannica describes terrorism as, “The systematic use of violence or threat of violence by organized groups to achieve specific goals. Terrorist activities may be directed against individuals, organizations or governments. Terrorism is employed by radical groups to obtain concessions from established governments, such as a change in policies unfavorable to them or the release of imprisoned members of their organizations…” (Encyclopedia Britannica. “Terrorism” 1987 T-169)
For terrorist organizations, their motivation almost always aligns with a disagreement between the terrorist group and a government. Terrorist groups attempt to weaken and humiliate governments, produce widespread fear amongst a civilian population with the threat of killing them by some sort of attack. The other part of their overall goal is to disrupt the daily lives of those civilians, ensuring they live in this type of fear.
Terrorism, then, is a type of political crime that makes use of murder and destruction or the threat of such violence in order to promote change. It is a specific kind of calculated violence with a selected target. Targets can include individuals, groups, communities, or governments. In most cases, excessive violence is used against innocent people which creates a fear that the terrorist can use for coercive purposes. This "fear" is usually directed at someone other than the victim. "In other words, terrorism is a psychological act conducted for its impact on an audience."(1) Since terrorists need publicity to inspire fear, they often seek more unusual events that capture and hold public attention.
The concept of terrorism is exceedingly difficult to define. Author Gerald Seymour first said in his book Harry’s Game that, “One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter”. Each individual may view terrorism in a different light. Because of this, there is currently no universal definition of terrorism. However in recent years, it has become increasingly more important to form a definition of terrorism, especially while working in the media.
Modern terrorism can be referred to be both domestic terrorism as well as international terrorism. The difference between the two is basically domestic terrorism only applies when acts occur within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States. Modern terrorist groups such as ISIS implement various methods to obtain their goal. One such method is establishing a Caliphate based upon distorted views of prior Islamic civilizations. The Caliphate that ISIS has created in captured territories is often referred to as a type of hell. ISIS does not allow people to freely leave controlled towns unless approved by leadership. They openly execute groups of Muslims whom do not conform or submit to the ways of the Caliph. All in all, they are intimidating entire populaces to reach their objectives. On the other hand, we have terrorists who utilize the Internet to further their political or social objective; otherwise known as cyberterrorists. In this day and age, modern societies life revolves around the Internet. The job of cyberterrorists is to use troublesome activities via the Internet to intimidate or cause harm to the populace. Due to the dependence of the Internet that is growing rapidly worldwide, cyberterrorism is becoming a mainstream problem. Experts are worried that entire infrastructures can be taken down by a well-coordinated attack by a cyberterrorism group. Due to the Internet spanning the entire globe, an attack can take place from the other side of the world with no
It's too horrible to be true. When terrorists strikes always expect numerous deaths. Terrorists who kill and torture with no mercy, like beheading, amputation of body parts, sex-slavery among women and children, witnessing death of family or friend and other terrible and unimaginable violence. People who were kidnapped by terrorists and experienced cruel things then survive suffers to injuries, diseases, long-term or short-term psychological trauma, post stress disorder, anxiety and major depression. Also Terrorism effects major damage in the economy, infrastructure and business. That cause the government to spend more time and money on security. While the impact on the society creates an atmosphere of suspicion, fear, life becomes uncertain and panic all around.
Terrorism is one of the most extensively discussed issues of our time and at the same time it is also one of the least understood. The term itself “terrorism” means many different things to different people, cultures, and races. As a result, trying to define or classify terrorism with one universal definition is nearly impossible. The definition of terrorism used in this research is a reflection of much of the Western and American way of defining it. The definition of terrorism is,
The word terrorism seems to be easy to define. It is a word that everyone is familiar with. Terrorism, as used in today's media which covers a wide range of violent acts. Terrorism is violent acts that are intended to create fear(terror) are perpetrated for a religious ,political or ideological goal and deliberately target or disregard the safety of non civilians or we can say it is the threat of violence or an act of violence . Terrorism is an international problem in today's global community. Many countries had been affected directly.
The word terrorism was first used during the French Revolution from the reign of terror inflicted by the French from 1784-1804 ("International Affairs"). It was used to describe the violent acts perpetrated on the French that inflicted terror on the various peoples and instilled fear within them. However, at the time it had a more positive connotation than the term that instills fear today. During the French Revolution this was because it referred to state-sponsored terrorism in order to show the need of state instead of anarchy, sometimes promoted by other groups (Hoffman 2). Therefore, even though terrorism has taken a new nature, terrorism can refer to official governments or guerrilla groups operating outside national governments ("International Affairs"). In order to encompass terrorism’s various sectors and explain it to the public, in both positive and negative aspects, many analysts have tried to put it into a few words. Terrorism is a method used by tightly of loosely organized groups operation within states or international territories that are systematic in using deliberate acts of violence or threats in order to instill...
The reasons behind terrorism vary according to living conditions, ethnicity, nationality and religion. The root cause of many attacks is poor governance. Governments’ corruption over a long period leads to injustice, economical and political instability, in which violence emerges as a solution. Through the existence of violence in societies as a part of the culture, the idea of using violence and consequently, terrorism, to end the chaos is implemented in some individuals’ mind. This idea is supported by Robert L. Feldman from U.S. Foreign Military Studies Office, who wrote: “In the wake of these failing societies, first verbal dissent and then physical dissent, as expressed by acts of violence, can be found” (Feldman, 2009).
“Terrorism refers to political violence that targets civilians deliberately and indiscriminately “. In this definition there is a notion that the terrorist are attacking innocent people for reasons which society do not deem correct for their actions. In the past terrorism was mainly separated into three categories, insurrectionary, nationalist and issue terrorism. The first two are types of terrorism aimed to overthrow of a state or a rule, whereas the third one is done to promote a single cause. Michael Ignatief, a Liberal Canadian politician and an author, added a forth category that is Global terrorism. Global terrorism “is aimed at inflicting damage and humiliation on a global power or at transforming global civilizational relations.”
Before even discussing anything about terrorism you have to have a broad understand of what it is. The definition of terrorism is very complex, mostly because there is no real definition. According to Dr. Groskin, terrorism is “the use or threat of using violence and force to achieve political objectives using methods which represent violations of criminal laws.” He also states that it is the “motives that lie behind the acts which serve to distinguish terrorism from aberrant, seemingly irrational, mindless, senseless violence.” When looking at a “terrorist” act the use of fear, demands for change, selection of victims, and how likely it is to attract attention all have to be closely examined to determine if it is truly what it seems.
There is no set definition for terrorism, this is because each country has a different definition of terrorism, but it is commonly recognized as violence from groups with political, religious or ideological ideas. Terrorism tries to bring about change with violence and their targets are usually unsuspecting civilians. However, freedom fighters understand terrorism to be violence against the government and government policy to bring about political, and social change to better their way of life. There are two major categories of terrorism, International and Domestic terrorism (Yancey, 2006).