Terrorism
Terrorism is a relatively old phenomenon, although it is rampant in the present day. There are various definitions of terrorism, and it cannot be clearly defined as one term. However, terrorism is associated as a generic term for all acts of violence that spread terror amongst the masses. Terrorism can be strategic as well tactical; it can be something considered a religious duty or it can be a crime, it may also be something justifiable in the court of law, or it can be an abdominal cause of oppression.
However, what remains known is that terrorism spreads anarchy and chaos, and in many cases of conflict, there are no clearly defined means of having knowledge of the root cause of terrorism, and hence, it can be taken as a crime. Today, today terrorism has become one of the main responses that can be given in the face of extreme goals that certain terrorist organizations wish to carry out all over the world. (Engel, 2015).
According to the 18 U.S.C. § 2331 Chapter 113B of the Code “Terrorism” divides it terrorism into two categories; domestic terrorism and international terrorism. Domestic terrorism has three main features. It is either terrorism that includes such acts that endanger human life, or they are in open violation of federal or state laws. It can also be a case of terrorism if there is an attempt to intimidate or force the civilians into some act or it can also be a case of influencing a government policy by the act of coercion. Domestic terrorism also occurs when a government’s conduct is hampered or affected by tactics like kidnapping, assassinating or any form of large-scale destruction in the country. Thirdly, it is domestic terrorism when it occurs in the territory of a country such as the United States, which would then make it a case of domestic terrorism. (Tabman, 2013).
International terrorism, on the other hand, involves activities of three main kinds. It is the same three kinds of terrorist activities, i.e. acts of violence that endanger human life or violate the federal or state laws, acts of coercion of a civilian population or a policy of the government, or the disruption of a government operation by acts such as assassination, kidnapping or large scale destruction. However, the difference arises in the territorial extent, where the acts of violence and terrorism extend beyond the range of a country, for example, the U.S and is beyond the country’s jurisdiction. It is usually in the area where the terrorists or people who wish to spread anarchy operate or have their connections in areas where they have sought asylum. (Tabman, 2013).
Often, terrorism and terrorists are confused and correlated with freedom fighting and freedom fighters. The two are completely different, rather opposite terms. To define each individually, it can be said that freedom fighters are people who fight for legal, well-deserved rights and they usually fight oppression that is justifiable in the court of law. Their goals consist of fighting for something that is rightfully theirs such as sovereignty, political rights or economic rights and liberty. Freedom fighters don’t have any insidious agenda, and their actions revolve around selflessness. They are usually people that come from the marginalized or oppressed groups in society, and they only fight to gain what is rightfully theirs. Examples of freedom fighters include Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, The Dalai Lama, George Washington and others, such who have contributed positively to the world. (Engel, 2015).
On the other hand, terrorists have an insidious agenda that is based on spreading terror and succumbing people to accept their demands on the basis of bloodshed and violence. They concentrate more on destruction and death than acquiring land or wealth. Terrorism is not defined by greed or want of power rather it is the agenda of spreading fear against one group on the basis of hatred and envy. Terrorist groups like the Al-Qaeda, the ISIS, The Scottish National Liberal Army and other such are those that claim to be freedom fighters, but they are cloaked under the guise of terrorists and extremists. (Engel, 2015).
Historically, the word terrorism first appeared in the 18th century after the end of the French Revolution, when it came to describing a phenomenon as a regime of terror. Previously the word had its connotation with a government that used force and pressure to get the public favor and to step into power. Hostage taking in Paris in the 19th century was another scene that described terrorism. Hostage taking, however, was one of the features that are present even in modern day terrorism. Progressing time changed the definition and concept of terrorism that is today associated with a group of non-state actors who tend to use weapons, arms, ammunition and tactics of war and oppression in order to get a message across or gain money and people on their side. (Tabman, 2013).
Today, however, terrorism is associated with the religion of Islam and Islamic fundamentalism. Bombings and hijacks have become the newest form of terrorism, and they are linked to spreading terror through the means of gaining a reward in the afterlife, as per the agenda of the terrorists.
As far as the American view on terrorism is concerned, a majority thinks that national security and the threat of terror is a major problem for America. The 2015 polls revealed that 40% Americans think that the top most priority of America needs to be national security and fighting terrorism. However, the international community does feel that terrorism and tension in the Middle East is a problem. As far as a large majority blames Al-Qaeda and disfavors it, some Muslim-majority countries don’t feel threatened by the organization, and they carry mixed views. (Engel, 2015).
Works Cited
Engel, Pamela. (2015). “There’s been a gigantic shift in how Americans view the threat of
terrorism.” Business Insider. Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com/polls-terrorism-most-important-issue-in-us-2015-12
Tabman, Michael. (2013). “International vs. Domestic Terrorism.” Wordpress. Retrieved from
https://michaeltabman.wordpress.com/2013/04/18/international-vs-domestic-terrorism-a-primer/
