What is terrorism - Essay Example

There are many other similar definitions of terrorisms used by scholars and research institutions and thus, there isn`t a consensus on the exact definition as yet. Thus, it may be concluded that it is not an easy task to define it with one single definition. In fact, the true definition of terrorism can be given by looking at the nature of conflict and role of media. Since both of these are determining factors for classifying an act as a terrorist activity or the war of freedom it is crucial to study various definitions and thus find out recurring patterns.

Thus, despite of the variety of definitions, there are some factors that are common to all of them (Duncan 2013). These factors are: b) Perpetrator: constitutes the person who is responsible for the terrorist attack. It can be anyone; even the state itself uses violence against its own public which is referred to as state terrorism c) Motive: in other words the aim of the terrorist attack. There is always a goal behind any terrorist activity which may be political or social. In the absence of any such motive, the act is not a terrorist attack, it is simply a crime. d) Victims: Who is a victim of terrorist activity is a very controversial issue.

According to many definitions of terrorism, victim is generally the common people. Terrorists’ activities are carried on the masses in order to pressurize the government of that particular country. The term terrorism was first coined during the French revolution in 1790`s for the insurgents using violence against the state (Lacqueur 1977). However, over the years, such terrorist groups have been found inflicting violence if different forms all over the world. The concept of terrorism was historically treated as religious extremism, i.e. religious extremism could interchangeably be used for terrorism.

One of the aspects