The term terrorism derives its meaning from terror; the latter comes from a Latin word terrere meaning to shake, tremble or terrify. Coupling terrere with the French suffix isme makes it a practice of terrifying. The word terrorism derived its meaning from the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror that happened from 1793 to 1794. This was violence that happened in France where at least 40,000 people were killed in less than a year.
The term terrorism is not new, but although it has been in use for a long time, it is relatively hard to define. Terrorism is viewed as a by-product of traditional and contemporary life where communities organized and engaged to achieve some goals (Hoffman, 2006). It is considered as the most contemporary form of human conflict. Humans engaged in warring behavior, and engaged to achieve goals such as replace existing leaders, reveal their potentiality to their rivals, or reclaim their property. These groups used traditional means to fight, which has evolved throughout history.
The introduction and growth of technology has also played its part in terrorism. Modern technology has introduced terror equipment such as use nuclear power. The elements of fear, terror, disruption, panic, among others, however, still remain unchanged. The key acts of terrorism include threats of terrorism, use of bombs, kidnaps, assassinations, cyber attacks, and use of chemical, radiological and nuclear weapons. The high risk targets of terrorism include facilities occupied by civilians, military, busy cities, high profile landmarks, international airports, corporate centers, among others.
Terrorism can be defined as a strategy and a tactic, a holy duty and a crime, or an inexcusable abomination and a justified reaction to discrimination or oppression. Its definition depends on the user or on whose point it represents. Terrorism implies the use of force to achieve change or revenge where innocent citizens are targeted. It is a premeditated and deliberate act where murder, mayhem, fear and intimidation are the key tactics used to influence a targeted audience (Horgan, 2003).
The United States Department of Defense defines terrorism as “the calculated use of unlawful violence or threat of unlawful violence to inculcate fear; intended to coerce or to intimidate governments or societies in the pursuit of goals that are political, religious, or ideological”. Three elements are outstanding in this definition; fear, violence and intimidation. Each of these elements triggers terror to the targets (Wright-Neville, 2010).
The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) defines terrorism as “the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives”. The U.S Department of State, on the other hand, defines terrorism as “a premeditated politically-motivated violence perpetrated against non-combatant targets by sub-national groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience”
Whatever its motives are, terrorism is the act of violence that is premeditated or takes place as a result of an individual or groups’ advancement with an intention to sow panic and fear, cause harm and damage to private, public or environment, or to jeopardize natural resources (Saul, 2008). It is a calculated use of unlawful violence or threat to inflict, or to coerce the civilian population, or government in pursuit of religious, political or ideological objectives (Horgan, 2003). Terrorism does not always involve foreigners; it also involves domestic forces with political, social or religious intentions (Hoffman, 2006). Threat, in this case, is used to create fear among the civilians, as a tool to convince civilians that their government is powerless and cannot protect them, and for immediate publicity.
The FBI categorizes terrorism into two; domestic and international terrorism. According to FBI, domestic terrorism refers to the threatened or unlawful use of violence and force by an individual or a group of people who operate within a state. The terrorists act with intentions to coerce the civilian community or government, and without any foreign directives. In most cases, domestic terrorism is driven by social and political objectives. International terrorism, on the other hand, refers to violent acts committed by criminals operating outside the national boundaries of a country (Wright-Neville, 2010). The terrorists work with an aim of intimidation or coercion of the government or civilian population of their targeted state. Such acts may involve kidnaps and assassinations of local communities, and in most familiar cases massive loss of civilian lives.
Terrorists act with an aim of drawing attention to the local population, the government and the world. For instance, on September 11th 2001, the United States experienced the worst attack ever when members of Al-Qaeda network hijacked four commercial planes, crashed two of them in Twin towers in ,New York, one in Pentagon building Washington D.C, and one the fourth plane near Pittsburg, pa. The aim was to distract the economy of the U.S, gain world publicity, and symbolize what the Al-Qaeda group opposed against U.S.
Hoffman (2006) views terrorism in three perspectives; the victims, general public, and the terrorists. The latter do not view themselves as evil rather some of them do it for religious and esteem satisfaction. They justify their acts as fighting for what they believe in, as legitimate combatants, or acting towards attaining their goals. A victim views terrorists as criminal with no human value and disregard to life. The general public’s view can be unstable as some would support while others oppose terrorism.
Terrorism can also be defined according to the related activity of the act. Terrorist related activities are categorized into; terrorist incident, suspected terrorist incident, and prevention. A terrorist incident implies a violent act towards human life or property and in violation of a state’s criminal laws (Horgan, 2003). The intention of a terrorist incident is to pressurize and intimidate the civilian population or government with social or political intentions.
A suspected terrorist incident is an act of terrorism where the terrorists or the people behind the attack cannot be easily suspected or known. Terrorism prevention, on the other hand, refers to a renowned instance where the perpetrators or actors behind terror are known or proven guilty, and interdicted through a successful investigation (Hoffman, 2006).
In conclusion, the word terrorism lacks a universally accepted upon definition. However, the most accepted definition of the term terrorism is that which has elements of fear, threat, and intimidation for reasons such as political, social, economic or religious beliefs. The definition should also have the concept of intentions to hurt or cause panic among the civilians. Terrorism is also premeditated and organized by either domestic citizens or foreigners who in most cases do not reveal their identities. The difference between terrorism and murder, assault or demolition of property should also be highlighted as terrorism targets a relatively larger population than the above (Saul, 2008).
References.
Hoffman, B. (2006). Inside terrorism. New York: Columbia University Press.
Horgan, J. (2003). The Psychology of Terrorism. New York: Routledge.
Saul, B. (2008). Defining terrorism in international law. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Wright-Neville, D. P. (2010). Dictionary of terrorism. Cambridge, UK: Polity.
