Terrorism is a term that so often appears in the media nowadays that it has become a part of our daily vocabulary. It is used in this regard primarily to refer to violence during peacetime or in the context of war against noncombatants mostly civilians and neutral military personnel. The terms terrorist and terrorism originated during the french revolution of the late 18th century but gained. The definition suggested in the following section highlights certain important facets of the issue, answering some questions while raising a multitude of others. While some definitions are precise, others lack important aspects of terrorism e. Based on islamic and human principles, terrorism is an act carried out to achieve an.
A typology of terrorism, again by gurr 1989, gurr, t. Components of terrorism according to the united nations security council, terrorism is described as any act intended to cause death or serious bodily harm to civilians or noncombatants with the purpose of intimidating a population or compelling a government or an international organization to do or. Oic as the tenth anniversary of the 911 terrorist attacks approaches, the united nations is no closer to reaching a universal definition of terrorism than it was in 2001 or indeed than it was five years before then, when negotiations first began on. The world trade center bombing scarcely hints at the enormity of the danger. It is a persistent global threat that knows no border, nationality or religion and is a challenge that the international community must tackle together. D2 the deliberate use of violence, or threat of its use, against innocent people with the aim of intimidating other people into a course of action they otherwise would not take. In january 2001, he stood lookout while other members of a radical environmentalist group set fire to the offices of the superior lumber. When we think about this definition, 911 certainly comes to mind, but there are, in fact, several kinds of terrorism based on the identity of the actors and targets of terrorism to which this definition applies.
Eikenberry thoughts on unconventional threats and terrorism 3 hoover institution stanford university of nontraditional risks and challenges such as terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction wmd, cyber defense, and energy security. The challenge of defining terrorism around the world. Counter terrorism also spelled counterterrorism, also known as antiterrorism, incorporates the practice, military tactics, techniques, and strategy that government, military, law enforcement, business, and intelligence agencies use to combat or prevent terrorism. If we solve the real problem, terrorism disappears automatically. Definitions of terrorism and the canadian context memorializing. Terrorism is surely a complex phenomenon but all the same terrorism by the state or against it must be considered rational behaviour within the context of alternative options. The word that now only means violence which isnt ours by e. Which of the following is the radical islamic group that straddles the border region between pakistan and afghanistan. Terrorism definition, the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes. The specter of weapons of mass destruction being used against america looms larger today than at any time since the cuban missile crisis. The matter of definition and conceptualization is usually a purely theoretical issuea mechanism for scholars to work out the appropriate set of parameters for the research they intend to undertake.
Terrorism definition of terrorism by merriamwebster. Nilr 2005 defining terrorism 57 attempts to define terrorism in international law by ben saul 1. The definition of terrorism is crucial and the most important foundation upon which to build because it ultimately determines the way in which this and any research on terrorism should be conducted. Note the fbi investigates terrorism related matters without regard to race, religion, national origin, or gen.
The question of who is a terrorist, according to this school of thought, depends entirely on the subjective outlook of the definer. Terrorism is, in the broadest sense, the use of intentional violence for political or religious purposes. The uk definition, ostensibly, has the broadest definition of terrorism of the three states. They can also spread subversion and propaganda, while they aid native. Terrorism is already used without hesitation for many nonwhite especially muslim actors who carry out violence consistent with the definition outlined above. Convergence of the definitions used, act of terrorism meaning.
It was in use at the time of the 2005 queens speech, when the intention to pass a new bill was. Maybe it never had much in the first place but over the last 14 years it has become more and more of a blanket term that our governments carefully select as to who it gets used for and how best to use it to evoke fear in the public. Definitions of terrorism, like the act itself, continue to undergo changes. Toward a working definition so it may be difficult to define terrorism, but as part of the building blocks to arrive at at least some agreedupon meaning of what the common definitional elements of terrorism are, we can still identify the ten core elements that explain and, in fact, define this political phenomenon. The invention of modern state terrorism during the french. I have done and continue to do so against all odds, and in contradiction to the most commonlyheld position of counter terrorism experts, scholars, legal experts, decision makers and lay leaders. Terrorism is an act of violence or threats that are used to frighten or coerce a population for a range of purposes. The word is derived from terror, that is, to instil fear, and the suffix ism relates to an ideology be it philosophical, religious or otherwise. At best, we have a most universally accepted definition of terrorism, which is the following. These aggrieved groups share two essential characteristics. The revolutionary government, responsible for the implementation of the terror, took shape gradually over the course of 1793. Terrorism definition for englishlanguage learners from. Others argue that much of the difficulty surrounding the definition of terrorism stems from the need to develop a concrete meaning of the term grobfitzgibbon. It is suggestive of the lack of vast support both for the state and for terrorist organizations.
Terrorism, the calculated use of violence to create a general climate of fear in a population and thereby to bring about a particular political objective. That is a simplification, but i think that it points to an important truth. The us has, undoubtedly, the most unique, with separate definitions for international terrorism. When we speak of terrorism today, we are no longer dealing with the historically and relatively discrete, smallscale. Terrorism definition is the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion. Therefore, the legal definition of terrorism may be seized by the figure of osama bin laden, and we may be startled that by the late twentieth century the only superpower in the world was required to go to war with a mere individual, but that does not change the fact that, for the most part, the definition of terrorism is closely linked.
Of course, a terrorist can aim to intimidate a whole group by causing or threatening. Nilr 2005 57 by ben saul organization of american states. Gangs, terrorism, and radicalization produced by the berkeley electronic press, 2012. Various legal systems and government agencies use different definitions. The belief in allah and muhammad as a prophet, is which religion. The connection we forge between terrorism and the arabicislamic complex a creation that is itself problematic depends both on who does the terrorizing and who is terrorized. To date there is no universal definitions of terrorism accepted by scholars, experts, journalists or theorists. Before examining the meaning and associated concepts and principles of international criminal justice and international criminal law as they. It is for this reason that a comparison is necessary to clarify the scope of the operation of the terrorism risk insurance programmes. An obscure law stretches the definition of terrorism, and metes out severe punishments. For the past 30 years, i have been calling for the adoption of an international definition of terrorism. Terrorism is a narrowly defined type of violence, even within the broader spectrum of ideologically motivated violence. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. How to define terrorism sinai perspectives on terrorism.
Definition of terrorism the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims. Every country is doing something to kill terrorism. In short, i assume that terrorism is a prima facieevil and my concern is with the kind of evil it is. Definitions we are living in a radically new age of global terrorism, and we must seek substantially new ways of comprehending its nature, means, and manifestations.
This background report presents information from the global terrorism database gtd on terrorist attacks classified by ideology as part of the terrorism and extremist violence in the united states tevus project. Organization of the islamic conference oic leaders at a conference in mecca, saudi arabia, in december 2005. Terrorism has ranked at 1 percent or below in six separate priorities polls conducted before the monday gallup poll, compared to above 20 percent in. Definitions of terrorism also vary as to whether terrorism includes attacks against only noncombatant targets see dos definition. Under section 2 of the homeland security act of 2002. Some have said that the bombings are, in their turn, acts of terrorism, and as such are just the same as the attacks on new york and washington. Examples of unconventional terrorism special forces, inserted deep behind an enemys front lines, are used unconventionally to train, equip and advise locals who seek to change their oppressive regimes. Start a free trial of quizlet plus by thanksgiving lock in 50% off all year try it free. The bombings do not precisely fit the definition of terrorism.
With the right approach and organization, however, the united. Underground knowledge a discussion group false flag. This type of terrorist has no formal connection to and doesnt receive material supply from a terrorist movement, but has a psychological affinity with one. The phrase comes from the governments terrorism bill. Defining terrorism is one mans terrorist another mans. This module is a resource for lecturers defining terrorism before examining the meaning and associated concepts and principles of international criminal justice and international criminal law as they apply to terrorist crimes, it is first necessary to briefly examine some of the principal reasons for, and implications of, the absence of a universally agreed definition of terrorism, including. Terrorism in all its forms poses a direct threat to the security of the citizens of nato countries, and to international stability and prosperity. Politically motivated violence, directed against soft targets civiliangovernment targets wintention to terrorize a target audience. The tragedy in paris a few months ago was widely publicized as the latest national tragedy, so much so that facebook made filters for profile pictures to show support. Nato will continue to fight this threat in all its forms and manifestations with determination. It is only when we attempt to strengthen our understanding that we will be in a position to curb this threat. A terrorism prevention is a documented instance in which a violent act by a known or suspected terrorist group or individual with the means and a proven propensity for violence is successfully interdicted through investigative activity.
Definitions of terrorism are complex and controversial. Have americans become complacent in the face of terrorism. F nicholson the word terrorism has now lost all its meaning and value. Terrorism may sometimes be a response to great wrongs, and great wrongs may be committed in opposing it. Counter terrorism strategy is a governments plan to use the instruments of national power to neutralize terrorists, their. There is no universal agreement on the definition of terrorism. The way this world is attacking terrorism is funny. Department of homeland security dhs definition of terrorism. The difficulty in defining terrorism is in agreeing on a basis for determining when the use of violence. Terrorism is a huge tree spread over many countries. As a western woman, the definition of terrorism is something that fascinates me. In a world where the definition of terrorism varies with time and perspective, there is a pressing need to understand what terrorism is.
Ali khan terrorism sprouts from the existence of aggrieved groups. Ideological motivations of terrorism in the united states. Most universally accepted definition there is no universally agreedon definition of terrorism. Gimcrack definition is a showy object of little use or value. America is prepared only for conventional terrorism, not a nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons catastrophe. International terrorism violent, criminal acts committed by individuals andor groups who are inspired by, or associated with, designated foreign terrorist. Defining terrorism has been an ongoing debate, there are more than a 100 definition.