Definition of terrorism (international, state and religious) - Research Paper Example

? Terrorism al Affiliation This research generally discusses the delicate issue of terrorism. In the introduction, a brief background is given about its origin and the general understanding that people have about terrorism. In the essay the actual meaning of terrorism is given to try and shed light on the different misconceptions that people have. The essay continues to unfold the different kinds of terrorism that exist, that is; international, religious, and state terrorism, giving the differences and similarities that exist between them. The researcher also goes deeper to give the different groups that are classified in each kind such as Al-Qaeda and many more others. At the end of this research, the researcher has given a conclusion about terrorism terming it as a complicated and delicate issue that is really causing mass destruction of property and lives. The researcher has called to all leaders and citizens to look for ways to reduce terrorism. Keywords: Terrorism, International Terrorism, State Terrorism, Religious Terrorism Introduction Many people have only heard about terrorism, but do not have a clear understanding of the real meaning of the word. Since the attacks of the Pentagon and World Trade Centre most people have started having a concern on terrorism and possible solutions to terrorist activities. There are some misconceptions that different people have when it comes to terrorism. People should understand that such activities like, killing another person, killing lots of people, or wrecking properties is not terrorism. These are just some few ways that terrorists use to conduct their terrorist activities. Terrorism is not limited to a certain type of behavior or a particular method (Malisow, 2008). The Origin of the Word Terrorist The term terrorism originated after the American Revolution. After this revolution, the people of France decided to follow suit. So they started their own rebellion, but once the government was overthrown, the rebels had a problem amongst themselves. There emerged different groups among the rebels that wanted different things. There are those who wanted France to remain as it was before, and there were those who wanted to some changes to be introduced. So there was this group named Jacobins in this revolution, the Jacobins saw that the rebels were getting out of hand and decided to tame these groups, so they introduced the Reign of Terror in September 1793. This reign was established to ensure that the people in France followed the new government’s rules and regulations. Anyone who went contrary to that was arrested, beaten, or even killed (Malisow, 2008). What is Terrorism? The term terrorism refers to the act of scaring someone into doing something they wouldn’t do out of their own free will. Terrorism has been used very much in the modern times politics. For example, if a politician wants to be re-elected back to his position without opposition, he or she might threaten his or her opponents by either beating or killing some, as a way of scaring the rest to conform. The terrorists’ main goal is usually to affect the government and change how a nation’s affairs are run by scaring the people of that particular country. A good example is the Somalia government where the terrorists had taken over the administration of the government (Malisow, 2008). For terrorists to achieve their goal, there must be the following: The terrorist must have a political goal. This because through politics, they are able to interact with different groups. Politics involves the interaction of different groups of people and does not deal with an individual, so it will be so easy for a terrorist to gain ground (Malisow, 2008). A terrorist must use force. An act is not considered as an act of terrorism if it uses non-violent means. It must involve hurting someone or threatening to hurt someone (Malisow, 2008). Terrorist use their victims to serve as examples. By hurting or threatening to hurt someone, they send a message to everyone else (Malisow, 2008). What is the Difference Between International, State and Religious Terrorism? International terrorism. International terrorism is said to be directed into achieving demands for changes to the structure and power in the whole world. The terrorists and the victims in this category are located all over the world. The main difference that the international terrorism has from the others is that it is not limited geographically (Schimid, 2013). Religious terrorism. This kind of terrorism involves the use of violence and force that a certain religion should be followed by people without their consent. Religious terrorists can come from large groups, from major established religions, or even from small cults. It is the most dangerous kind of terrorism (Schimid, 2013). State terrorism. This kind of terrorism is used by government towards its citizens, who may want to rebel or the rebels as an instrument of intimidation. It is one of the political tools utilized by a government, which establishes a specific agency or a legitimate state institution for gaining domestic or international benefits. The state uses it to make people obey the rules and regulations of the government ruling at the time, even though the people are unwilling (Schimid, 2013). The Similarities Between International, State, and Religious Terrorism The main aim of any terrorist activity is to scare people, or the targeted victims in order to make them do something they wouldn’t do freely (Fischer, Halibozek, & Walters, 2013). All types of terrorism seek publicity to promote themselves and their agenda. For example, they might be doing all those activities to proof to the world that it is not easy to eliminate them. They use their victims to serve as examples to the rest (Fischer, Halibozek, & Walters, 2013). All types of terrorism are highly organized. They have developed training functions that is; they offer recruitment, training, and retention of their members (Fischer, Halibozek, & Walters, 2013). All of them are violent in nature. They use the violent forms so as to protect their interests. All types of terrorists are ruthless and suicidal in protecting their own interest from their rivals and law enforcement agencies (Fischer, Halibozek, & Walters, 2013). They have a well established financial support, and it comes from many sources including the state, from drug and human trafficking, and thus it is possible for them to buy the most powerful weapons to conduct their criminal activities (Fischer, Halibozek, & Walters, 2013). All of them are usually politically motivated. The consuming desire for power typically drives and sustains them. Religious terrorism aims at establishing what they call the pure and the only true religion and also spreading the beliefs of this pure religion. Religious terrorism requires some type of leadership, recruitment, and training of its members. Religiously instigated terrorism has become the most widespread and lethal. One may think that religious terrorism is not politically motivated, but research has shown that all terrorist activities are politically motivated. For example, following the invasion of the United States in 2003, the Islamism organizations as well as other groups like the Algerian GIA led to campaigns and attacks against the United States, because they wanted it to withdraw its troops from Iraq. Also, the Al-Qaeda terrorist group has justified their continued attacks to the United States, as a result of the United States occupying the Islam holy cities; that is Mecca and Medina (Fischer, Halibozek, & Walters, 2013). State terrorism exists in all nation-states and most often this occurs when these states or nations are experiencing wars. It is used as an instrument of intimidation in which the government tries to discourage those who rebel against the ruling government. Examples of countries that have undergone this are nations like Rwanda in the mid 1990s during the genocide, as well as Uganda and Bosnia. Examples of groups that are found in this category are such as the police force, where they act on behalf of the state, where it is used to bring a complete change in the lifestyle of the whole country. Another group that is used to perpetuate state terrorism is the ethnic groups where they are funded by a tribal leader, who has a leadership position in the government or the state. For example, in the 1990s in Bosnia it was a scene of mass slaughter of people of one ethnic group by leaders of another (Fischer, Halibozek, & Walters, 2013). International terrorism as seen earlier is directed into achieving demands for changes to the structure and power in the whole world, and it is also politically instigated. Groups that are involved in this kind of terrorism are such as the Irish Republican Army and also the Al-Qaeda and also the Sri Lanka Tamil Tigers (Schimid, 2013). In conclusion a lot of negative consequences have occurred during terrorist attacks. Many people have lost their lives and also many properties have been destroyed. The modern history of terrorism show that it is not easy and will never be easy to eliminate it, or at times, it is impossible to eliminate terrorism, but there is a possibility of reducing it to a lesser percentage. Improving anti-terrorism legislation is not enough to eliminate terrorism because this will be aimed at suppressing terrorist activity and to punish the perpetrators, but this will not stop terrorism from happening in the first place. Leaders and citizens of all countries across the globe should look for ways to reduce terrorist attacks. Reference List Malisow, B. (2008). Terrorism. New York: Infobase Publishing. Schmid, A. P. (2013). The Routledge Handbook of Terrorism Research. New York: Routledge. Fischer, R., Halibozek, E., & Walters, D. (Eds.). (2013). Introduction To Security. Oxford: ButterWorth-Heinemann. Read More