Chapter 28 and Lecture: Terrorism

Terrorism

The use of illegitimate violence by sub-state groups by attacking civilians or symbolic targets

3 factors that led to the rise of modern global terrorism

Expansion of commercial air travel, televised news coverage, broad ideological interests among extremists that overlapped to create a common cause

3 trends in terrorism that emerged from 1968 onwards

Fewer but deadlier and more indiscriminate attacks, increasing sophisticated attacks, greater willingness to perform suicide attack

Postmodern/new terrorism

Activities of terrorist groups with apocalyptic ideologies and system-level goals, they value destruction for its own sake rather than as a means for a specific goal

Realist view of terrorism

State actors cannot be terrorists, terrorists want to subvert civil order, political leaders need to take stricter measures to combat terrorism, terrorists don't deserve due process or rights during interrogation

Liberal view of terrorism

State actors cannot be terrorists, emphases the role of ideology, terrorism is an attack against liberal democratic principles, political leaders should not infringe on terrorists human rights and civil liberties

Critical view of terrorism

Both state and non-state actors can be terrorists, terrorism is socially and politically constructed, terrorism can be used to delegitimize groups that actors disagree with

4 types of terrorist organizations

Left-wing, right-wing, ethno nationalist/separatist, and religious/sacred

Left-wing terrorists

Linked with communist movements, ex. Colombian communist movement

Right-wing terrorists

Inspired by fascism, ex. Proud Boys

Ethno-nationalist/separatist terrorists

Linked with decolonization, especially after WW2, seperating from a state, ex. PKK in Turkey

Religious/sacred terrorists

Linked with religious characteristics such as Violent Islamic Extremism, ex. ISIS

Insurrectionary terrorism

Strives to overthrow the state through revolution

Global terrorism

Aims at defeating the global power

Three explanations for why terrorism is successful in underdeveloped countries

Cultural, economic, religion

Cultural explanation

People want to preserve their national/traditional values against modern, Western ones, “Clash of Civilizations"

Economic explanation

Core countries take actions that make conditions worse in developing nations, the people and resources are exploited, they want to gain more financial security

Religious explanation

People are motivated by promises of rewards in the after life, some believe that it is legitimate to kill non-believers and/or people who don't follow the strict version of Islam

Proselytizing

The expansion of the internet enables terrorists to have access to cheaper computers and other technology, they can use the internet to post their manifestos and gain sympathy, expanded range for propaganda

Extraordinary rendition

When terrorists or suspected terrorists are illegally taken to a country where they lack civil liberties, ex. Guantanamo bay