Concept of Nomos
Nomos implies the provisional set of rules or code of conduct to be adopted by members of a society for their own well-being. It mainly refers to the socio-political behavior of a society with reference to a particular period of time. Nomos thus binds the behavior of the members of a society, and hence it dictates ethical behavior to the members. Berger, (1967) states that man designs the world by his endeavors through a relationship process with the society. Man’s action sometimes destroys him, the society or both. Berger reiterates that the ‘nomos’ implanted in a society must be its shield, which always protects the society from terror. Hence, it is essential for a cultured society to establish its nomos through certain true and ethical guidelines and principles for all the citizens to live peacefully, which in turn ensures its firmness and certainty. It should be always remembered that nomos is only a man-made principle or opinion, which may not be relevant always, to build his own world.
Nomos and Terrorism
More often in the modern world, nomos, driven by religious values, creates unrest and terror. Strict restrictions through military culture being practiced by some countries to enforce religious faith upon the citizens lead to intolerance of other faiths and cultures, which finally lead to terrorism to uphold the values of home culture. Countries citing religious reasons to fight others, even though it may not be the genuine reason, justify terrorism as a war against evil. According to them anyone not practicing their religious faith is an enemy of the state, and must be eliminated by all means. Nomos induced terrorism mostly relies on the moral strength of fighting to restore new code of conducts to glorify the values of the terrorists. Since the act is only intended to give a message to the society, they fight with limited means from underground.
Because they are not able to win a direct war, they continue to fight from hideouts. In current day terrorism involving nomos, the perpetrators fighting to uphold or change social norms fight not for the purpose of killing but to attract the media and achieve maximum publicity to glorify the supremacy of their cultural values. Death of innocent civilians including women and children across the world today in terror attacks could be prevented if the terrorists realize that nomos or the golden rules to live by are meant only for the purpose of helping fellow human beings with kindness rather than glorifying unseen gods.
Reference
Berger, P. (1967). The sacred canopy; elements of a sociological theory of religion,. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday.
