Terrorism

Abstract

There is no single, universally accepted definition of terrorism. This is because the perspective of terrorism varies with respect to cultural and social context. Many analysts have attempted to define the term ranging from the most simple to the most complex ways. In simplest terms, terrorism is the unlawful use of force to achieve malicious goals by affecting the lives of innocent people. Types of terrorism include state-sponsored terrorism, terrorism by non-state actors, technological terrorism, cyber terrorism, eco-terrorism, nuclear terrorism, quasi terrorism, and agri-terrorism. Terrorists may be classified into political terrorists, anarchists, religious fanatics, and criminals. When dealing with these violent acts, governments often cross the lines of morality themselves. This must not happen as wrong acts are no justifications of equally wrong responses. Social approaches to the study of terrorism are meaning and structural based. One approach assumes that our perception of the world triggers our actions. Other approach states that social geometry of groups and organizations explain terrorism. Samuel P. Huntington introduced a theory of the clash of civilizations. He argued that there are eight civilizations that exist in the world. Each civilization is defined by culture, and religion is the primary force shaping culture. He states that international peace is vulnerable in “torn countries”. These are regions where a single area has a mix of two or more civilizations. In a civilization-based world, states that share similar civilizations will come close to one another and group around the leading states of their civilization. To make the world a safe and better place, it is imperative that terrorism be studied academically in context. Labeling a person as terrorist is a sensitive act that can destroy his overall image in the society.

Abstract2

Introduction4

Terrorism in Context4

Types of Terrorism5

Terrorism and Morality5

Social Approaches to the Study of Terrorism6

Clash of Civilizations6

Evaluation7

Conclusion7

Terrorism

Introduction

The word Terrorism is one of the most widely used word in the political, social, and legal horizons of the world. Despite the growing use of this word in the contemporary world, it is interesting to note that researchers, scholars, political and social scientists have not been able to agree on one definition of terrorism. Even different agencies of the United States government have different working definitions. The U.S. legal code, the U.S. Investigation Bureau (FBI), and the U.S. Department of Defense have presented varied definitions of terrorism. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not define the term at all. The agency talks about terrorism in several places on its Web site, apparently assuming that readers will know the meaning of the word. Walter Laqueur states that terrorism is unlawful use of force to achieve malicious goals by affecting the lives of innocent people. He explains that one should be contented with this simple definition because the term is very controversial and attempts to move beyond this simplicity will be fruitless. The whole world agrees that terrorism is a problem, but nobody can give a precise definition of what terrorism is. It makes matter further complicated when people use the terms terror and ...