A quick look at the different definitions of terrorism in governmental agencies of the united states alone underlines the gravity of the problem, as well as the necessity for a quick solution. Jul 06, 2006 britains legal definition of terrorism may be too broad and may have to be refined, according to a lawyer who is advising the government. Western powers call al qaeda and its supporters terrorists. Terrorist group definition of terrorist group by the free. We now shift from an emphasis on the broader origins and contexts of terrorism to individual terrorists in their group and organizational settings.
Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Who has the role of detecting and deterring acts of terrorism. The advent of cyberterrorism may force a shift in the definition of terrorism to include both disruption and violence in cyberspace. Using case studies, participants discuss what makes something a terrorist act, and formulate a definition of terrorism. Stating that a successful attack with weapons of mass destruction could certainly take thousands, or tens of. The unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political. Section 34 amends that definition slightly, to include specific types of. The term terrorism means premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents.
Central intelligence agency cia definition of terrorism. Jun 21, 2015 employing a consistent definition is useful for distinguishing how and why we respond to certain kinds of violence and removing certain biases for instance, race and religion that can make us less effective at countering terrorism as well as aggravating broader social problems. Terrorism in all its forms poses a direct threat to the security of the citizens of nato countries, and to international stability and prosperity. The distinction gets blurred because terrorism has no uniformly acceptable definition. In its broadest practical sense, terrorism is the use of violence to further a political or social cause. Terrorism is, in the broadest sense, the use of intentional violence for political or religious purposes. Section 34 amends that definition slightly, to include specific types of actions against international. French translation of terrorism collins englishfrench. Abstract the concept of terrorism is produced through discursive processes of labelling.
Although there is not a universally accepted definition of terrorism, most explanations typically involve key criteria such as. Unfortunately defining terrorism is just as hard as understanding it. It has been used to describe crimes as well as to discredit political opponents. Terrorist organizations must have goals that are not enforceable in the ordinary polit ical. Oct 23, 20 supreme court considers definition of terrorism 23 october 20 by rosalind english. Terrorism, the calculated use of violence to create a general climate of fear in a population and thereby to bring about a particular political objective. Browse the list of 1 407 terrorism acronyms and abbreviations with their meanings and definitions. Nuclear terrorism nuclear terrorism refers to a number of different ways nuclear materials might be exploited as a terrorist tactic.
Various definitions of terrorism controversy in defining terrorism the difficulty in defining terrorism is in agreeing on a basis for determining when the use of violence directed at whom, by whom, for what ends is legitimate. Once again, the international centre for counter terrorism has been named in the global go to think tank index university of pennsylvania. Terrorism constitutes a real threat to democracy, the rule of law and the enjoyment of human rights. The intelligence community is guided by the definition of terrorism contained in title 22 of the us code, section 2656fd. Study 31 terms global terrorism flashcards quizlet. Terrorism definition of terrorism by merriamwebster. Supreme court considers definition of terrorism uk. Human rights, terrorism and counterterrorism ohchr. Nato will continue to fight this threat in all its forms and manifestations with determination.
The terrorism act 2006 uses the definition of terrorism contained in the terrorism act 2000. State terrorism refers to acts of terrorism conducted by a state, whether against foreign targets or against its own citizens. These aggrieved groups share two essential characteristics. Global terrorism affects our daily lives terrorism is multifaceted global terrorism blurs the lines between the domestic and international terrorism defies military and technological advancement terrorism benefits immensely from the forces of globalization. International terrorism involves violent acts or acts dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws of the united states or any state, or that would be a criminal violation if committed within the jurisdiction of the united states or any state.
Brainstorm a few ideas and see if anyone can come up with a working definition. We have already touched on background reasons for supporting or joining terrorism, such as economic desperation, political repression, and the ready presence of a framing religious ideology. I definition calculated use of unlawful violence or threat of unlawful violence to inculcate. Chapter i definitional problems the main reason preventing international cooperation on action against terrorism is the lack of a universally accepted and comprehensive definition of the concept. How states respond to terrorist attacks 4 this thesis will employ descriptive case studies, the goal is not to assess the effectiveness of counterterrorism policies. He adopts a wide definition of terrorism, and goes on to distinguish two different types. Icct international centre for counterterrorism the hague. Department of social science peace and development studies. As such it must be countered through prevention and suppression by the member states of the council of europe. Kiras points out that, although the definitions of terrorism vary widely, the all come from a common point.
Forms of terrorism threats range from nonstate transnational networks with global reach capability such as alqaida, terrorist cells affiliated with regional or international aims, or individual selfradicalized and unaffiliated terrorists with single issue agendas. Nuclear terrorism is any different way that nuclear weapons might be used for terrorism. Terrorism is the use of violence in order to achieve political aims. This school does not label terrorism as inherently immoral.
In order to understand terrorism, one must assess the different views of what exactly constitutes terrorism. Dispatch protocol systems, the good the bad and the ugly. Supreme court considers definition of terrorism 23 october 20 by rosalind english. If you call what he did terrorism, you connect it to the broader definition of acts of terrorism. When we think about this definition, 911 certainly comes to mind, but there are, in fact, several kinds of terrorism based on the identity of the actors and targets of terrorism to which this definition applies. Benjamin netanyahu was born in tel aviv in 1949, grew up in jerusalem, and spent his high school years in the united states, where his father taught history. Definitions of terrorism are complex and controversial.
The us national counterterrorism center nctc is pleased to present the international terrorism guide website, a ready reference guide for law enforcement, intelligence, military and security personnel, contingency planners, or citizens concerned about international terrorist threats. Dispatch centers around north america are increasingly using some form of protocol when handling public safety requests for service, but some wonder if that protocol has become too stringent. Britains terrorism act 2000 defines terrorism as an act or threat designed to influence the government or to intimidate the public or a section of the public. Instead, the focus of the work will be in understanding the variance in responses to acts of terrorism. French translation of terrorism the official collins englishfrench dictionary online. Ali khan terrorism sprouts from the existence of aggrieved groups. Judging by the wide disagreements that exist on a number of counts, such a definition. May 21, 2018 more frequently, new terrorism has focused on a perceived new threat of mass casualties caused by chemical, biological or other agents. The calculated use of unlawful violence to inculcate fear, intended to coerce. What is new about the new terrorism and how dangerous is it. Terrorism is violence by nonstate actors, such as individuals or groups, to achieve radical political goals. A typology of terrorism, again by gurr 1989, gurr, t. Supreme court considers definition of terrorism uk human.
As for the term catastrophic terrorism, it was coined by carter et al who differentiated conventional terrorism and catastrophic terrorism. Government spokespersons and progovernment media typically assume that terrorism is by definition something done by nonstate agents, and that a state can never be guilty of terrorism although it can sponsor terrorist organizations. Discussions of new terrorism are often highly alarmist. This site contains many features across the full range of. Terrorism is the use of force or violence against persons or property in violation of the criminal laws of the united states for purposes of intimidation, coercion, or ransom. The unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or. In the united states a common definition of terrorism is the systematic or threatened use of violence in order to create a general climate of fear to intimidate a. International terrorism violent, criminal acts committed by individuals andor groups who are inspired by, or associated with, designated foreign terrorist. It is used in this regard primarily to refer to violence during peacetime or in the context of war against noncombatants mostly civilians and neutral military personnel. One of the main problems of the present is the global terrorism.
On the other hand, governments tend to paint all insurgent violence with the brush of terrorism. Three key principles in the war against terrorism imprimis. More frequently, new terrorism has focused on a perceived new threat of mass casualties caused by chemical, biological or other agents. It was in use at the time of the 2005 queens speech, when the intention to pass a new bill was. At best, we have a most universally accepted definition of terrorism, which is the following. International terrorism violent, criminal acts committed by individuals andor groups who are inspired by, or associated with, designated. This definition states that terrorism is a violent act or an act dangerous to human life in violation of the criminal laws of the united states or of any state to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives. Ask the group what they understand by the word terrorism. Counter terrorism and radicalisation european commission. Mar 10, 2005 secretarygeneral kofi annan launches global strategy against terrorism in madrid agreement on terrorism convention, respect for human rights. Judging by the wide disagreements that exist on a number of counts, such a definition probably will never come into being. Although there is a lack of a universal definition of terrorism, is is defined as a terrorist organization due to its fulfillment of certain elements in the definition of terrorism. There is no universally accepted definition of terrorism and even when people agree on a definition of terrorism, they sometimes disagree about whether or not the definition fits a particular incident. There is no universal agreement on the definition of terrorism.
Notice, for instance, the specificity of the language within each u. The history of terrorism is a long one, and defining it is not a straightforward matter. There is some disagreement about how to exactly define what is and what is not state terrorism, see definition section below for details. While some definitions are precise, others lack important aspects of terrorism e. British definition of terrorism termed overly broad. In truth, could it be that more often than we might think, the terrorism we hear about simply is false flag terrorism and that going by the basic definition of terror, it actually is the same thing the use of violence by a group to achieve something that group wants. Various legal systems and government agencies use different definitions. R v gul appellant 20 uksc 64, 23 october 20 read judgment it is a platitude that one mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter. Some questions about the definition of terrorism and the fight. Nov 16, 2015 in truth, could it be that more often than we might think, the terrorism we hear about simply is false flag terrorism and that going by the basic definition of terror, it actually is the same thing the use of violence by a group to achieve something that group wants. Terrorism unfortunately became an integral part of the political and economic processes in the world thus making a threat for the entire mankind.
The principal actions aim to define and criminalise terrorist offences, prevent radicalisation and the spreading of terrorist propaganda, and to cut terrorists access. Is uses violent methods in order to reach its aims and thus fulfill the basic requirement of the definition, terrorist organization. It is a word with many different definitionssome legal, some political. That definition of terrorism should include the following elements. Most universally accepted definition there is no universally agreedon definition of terrorism. Terrorism definition is the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion. The political necessity of terrorism richard jackson aberystwyth university paper prepared for the british international studies association bisa annual conference, 1719 december, 2007, university of cambridge. The former would consider terrorism as a tool of warfare and therefore worthy of legitimacy. When we think about this definition, 911 certainly comes to mind, but there are, in fact, several kinds of terrorismbased on the identity of the actors and targets of terrorismto which this definition applies. Differences between old and new terrorism criminology essay. She says their definition of terrorism is fairly inclusive. Twitter law library external link twitter congress. See the list below for various definitions of terrorism and take note of not only the inclusions, but also the possible exclusions within each definition.
It is a persistent global threat that knows no border, nationality or religion and is a challenge that the international community must tackle together. Terrorism is an anxietyinspired method of repeated violent action, employed by semiclandestine individuals, groups, or state actors, for idiosyncratic, criminal, or political reasons, whereby in contrast to assassination the direct targets of violence are not the main targets. Its more of a question of the narrative of the issue. However, poorly implemented or overly draconian counter terrorism measures can be counterproductive. List of all most popular abbreviated terrorism terms defined. Definitions of terrorism terrorism is the unlawful use of force or violence against person or property to intimidate or coerce o government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.
For an act to be considered terrorism, it has to be an intentional act or threat of violence that also meets two of three additional. However, without a universally accepted definition, a framework for global cooperation against terrorism has been established gradually since 1963 in numerous. Countering the new terrorism is a compilation of articles from some of the best and brightest analysts at rand. The three common elements within the definition of terrorism as define by the fbi and websters dictionary. Terrorist or ganizations must have goals that are not enforceable in the ordinary polit ical. A listing of the fbis most wanted individuals for terrorism. Penalty act of 1996 spelled out a very clear definition of what acts and crimes fall under the federal definition of terrorism a definition modified somewhat. Dec 15, 2012 the aim of this paper is not to contest the instituted physiognomies of terrorism today, but to argue that numerous trends fundamental to new terrorism can be ascertained in terrorism years ago, establishing that there is not a plausible distinction between old and new terrorism. The phrase comes from the governments terrorism bill. Jan 24, 2014 eco terrorism eco terrorism is a recently coined term describing violence in the interests of environmentalism. Terrorism to a special issue of the national interest thanksgiving 2001, pp. Apr 11, 2006 the terrorism act 2006 uses the definition of terrorism contained in the terrorism act 2000.
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