modern history

Defining Terrorism

May 6, 2007 · 14 Comments




There has been a long debate, for some years now, over how to define terrorism. Some groups have claimed that the label “terrorist” has been used to brand many legitimate groups struggling to change their societies. For example, Nelson Mandela was called a terrorist by the White Apartheid South African regime
According to the US Dept. of Defence , terrorism is: “the unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence against people or property to coerce or intimidate governments or societies, often to achieve political, religious, or ideological objectives.”
In other words, terrorism is violence designed to advance some cause by getting a government to change its policies or political behaviour.
However, some see this definition as “western”. Iranian religious scholar, Ayatulla Taskhiri in a paper delivered at a 1987 international terrorism conference called by the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, argued a definition of terrorism as “an act carried out to achieve an inhuman and corrupt objective and involving threat to security of any kind, and in violation of the rights acknowledged by religion and mankind.”
Countries, by this definition, can be guilty of terrorism [Source: http://www.al-islam.org/al-tawhid/definition-terrorism.htm]
Research and write a definition of “terrorism” in your own words.

Categories: Terrorism

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14 responses so far ↓

  •   samo // May 7th 2007 at 8:28 pm

    Terrorism is the use of violence or intimidation to achieve a goal mostly the goal would have religious or political traits

  •   Cam B // May 8th 2007 at 3:31 pm

    Terrorism: The use of violence or any force that denies a person or group of people to their basic rights as a human, usually by using ruthless methods. Frequently used to intimidate governments or religions.

  •   Jarrod H // May 8th 2007 at 3:34 pm

    Definition of Terrorism
    Terrorism:
    There are three distinctive areas that characterise terrorism. These are; violence, violence is a form of all terrorism. Fear; fear is always used in a terrorist attack. Attacks are a well-calculated and planned occurrence, they are planned such that it maximises fear and has a lasting psychological impact. Political; most terrorism is used to achieve a political goal, be it the control of holy sites in the Middle East or the attack on a group of protestants in Ireland, all are politically motivated.

  •   Aaron S // May 9th 2007 at 3:11 pm

    my definition of terrorism
    Terrorism is where a group acts against something or wants something to stop and the only way they can think of getting the attention of the government is through violence for example: like iraq who has been the cause of some terrorism attacks in the past like September 11 when 2 planes crashed into the twin towers and brought them down to the ground with hundreds of civilians inside and the bombs that were being planted on buses and blown up also killing innocent civilians and they did this To try and stop America and other countries from coming into their country.

  •   Sharon // May 9th 2007 at 3:56 pm

    Terrorism- A violent or intimidating act which is implied to force the views of a person or group upon a minority, country or individual in violation of their rights.

  •   Jono // May 9th 2007 at 4:02 pm

    Terrorism defines a path of destruction and violence in which a group carries out an organised attack on another, usually for a political purpose.

  •   Chris // May 9th 2007 at 7:34 pm

    Terrorism is a devastaing and violent act which can be either carried out by an indiviual or by a group of terrorists. It is always orchestrated by a group hoping to achieve a specific goal. This goal is usually to instill fear among the victims they attack. Politics can also play a large role in the extent of the attack.

  •   brent // May 9th 2007 at 9:44 pm

    The threatening use of force or violence to obtain an objective. This can in the form of mass destruction, massacre or taking hostages to bargain with. Often the cause is to demonstrate religious, political or ideological beliefs and objectives.

  •   Alec // May 10th 2007 at 9:53 am

    Terrorism is the unlawful use of violence or force by a person or group against people or property with the full intention of intimidation and knowledge of forcing people to things against their will generally within societies or governments.

  •   Alex Mac // May 11th 2007 at 10:23 am

    The use of violence or any force that denies a person or group of people to their basic rights as a human, usually by using ruthless methods. Frequently used to intimidate governments or religions.

  •   Jessen O // May 11th 2007 at 10:28 am

    terrorism-
    the unlawful use of — or threatened use of — force or violence against individuals or property to coerce or intimidate governments or societies, often to achieve political, religious, or ideological objectives.

    http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/teach/alqaeda/glossary.html

  •   Pascal // May 11th 2007 at 10:47 am

    Terrorism is a violent or extortive act by a person or group against a person or country to achieve their goal. These acts often have religious backgrounds.

  •   Jessen O // May 15th 2007 at 1:11 pm

    Terrorism is a violent or aggresive way to achive a goal or satisfaction.

  •   Harry smartest man alive // May 15th 2007 at 4:18 pm

    Terrorism- The use of violence or any force that denies a person or group of people to their basic rights as a human, usually by using ruthless methods. Frequently used to intimidate governments or religions

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