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Terrorism Defined

IS 421: The Politics of Terrorism

Why is Terrorism Difficult to Define?

  • Moral Repugnance and Illegality:

    • The perception of terrorism is often colored by moral judgments and legal frameworks.

  • “One Man’s Terrorist is Another Man’s Freedom Fighter”:

    • The subjective nature of labeling individuals or groups as terrorists leads to ambiguity based on perspectives.

  • Tactics Sometimes Used by “Legitimate” Actors:

    • States may employ similar tactics when combating perceived threats, complicating the definition.

  • Variability of Meanings and Connotations in Different Eras:

    • Historical contexts and cultural shifts influence what is deemed terrorism at any given time.

  • The Etymology of Terrorism Can Expand the Class of Relevant Behavior:

    • Understanding the origins of the term can help categorize various behaviors as terrorism based on historical usage.

  • Conflation of Strategies:

    • Different strategies of violence may overlap, complicating the distinction between terrorism and other forms of political violence.

Hoffman’s Definition of Terrorism

  • Key Components:

    • Ineluctably political in aims and motives:

    • Terrorism fundamentally seeks political ends and justifications.

    • Violent – or threatens violence:

    • The use of violence or the threat thereof is central to acts classified as terrorism.

    • Designed to have far-reaching psychological repercussions beyond the immediate victim or target:

    • Terrorist acts aim to instill fear and influence larger populations or governments.

    • Conducted by either an organization or individuals:

    • May stem from a structured group or independent individuals inspired by existing movements.

    • Perpetrated by a sub-national group or non-state entity:

    • Terrorism typically involves groups that do not have state authority.

Examples of Difficulty in Defining Terrorism

  • Main Question:

    • Is a turn away from morality and objectivity justified in defining terrorism?

  • Argument:

    • Any moralistic or subjective component in the definition results in severe “conceptual stretching,” leading to confusion about what constitutes terrorism.

Byford's Perspectives

  • Impact of Morality on Political Violence:

    • Justness of ends and means affects perceptions of political violence.

  • Three Schools of Definition of Terrorism:

    • Legality: Views state as monopolist in defining violence.

    • Etymological: Based on the historical roots of the term.

    • Tactical: Focused on the means employed in violent actions.

    • The justification of ends and means should guide thoughts on politically violent groups.

Complexity in Political Response

  • Example of U.S. Response to 9/11:

    • A focus on morality can obscure the interests involved, demonstrating how morality can complicate the understanding of justifications for political violence.

  • Advocating for a Shift in Perspective:

    • Byford posits that interest, ends, and means should guide U.S. foreign policy rather than a moralistic outlook standalone.

    • The administration’s portrayal of a moral high ground can result in failure due to the complexity of aligning moral concerns with national interests.

    • Support for national security initiatives must not rely on moral hypocrisy.

Morality in Understanding Terrorism

  • Dual Role of Morality:

    • Morality is vital for determining which groups receive support, yet it complicates the understanding of opponents and the strategies against them.

    • Overemphasis on moral justness can cloud critical analysis of threats and proper responses, complicating the strategic focus and clarity.

Harmon’s Contribution

  • Moral Absolutism:

    • Harmon argues there exists a clear divide between right and wrong that must frame our understanding of terrorism.

  • Definition of Terrorism:

    • Terrorism is characterized by deliberate acts of murder, maiming, and menacing civilians, as opposed to combatants.

    • Claims of terrorism being justified in civil wars are deemed false; hatred motivates these actions rather than genuine political aims.

  • Targeting and Violence:

    • Violence should be directed only at legitimate targets in conflict zones.

Problems with Harmon’s Approach

  • Difficulty in Distinction:

    • Challenges arise in differentiating between innocents and non-innocents.

    • Example: Beirut attack characterized as terrorism while King David Hotel incident excluded.

  • State of War Issues:

    • The definition of ‘state of war’ complicates the understanding of terrorism; at what point does terrorism manifest as war?

  • Right of Rebellion:

    • Some instances of rebellion may be considered just; however, using illegitimate means diminishes their legitimacy, echoing Byford’s emphasis on ends over means.

    • Harmon’s treatment of American Revolutionary activities suggests uncritical justification for means, indicating an overreliance on state-centric views which may lead to contradictions.

Conclusion

  • Role of Morality:

    • While morality is essential in guiding societal values, it complicates the analysis of terrorism and the formulation of counterterrorism policies.

    • For strategic analysis of terrorism, moral considerations should be excluded to avoid making the definition implacable and hinders strategic thought.

  • Definition Scope:

    • Terrorism is understood in strictly tactical and amoral terms; many violent actions, although noteworthy, do not fit the political terrorism category being studied.

    • Apolitical movements or those that deviate from defined strategies or tactics will generally be excluded from the terrorism analysis, with a slight exception for movements like millenarianism.