Terrorism Definition Categories Reasons and Impacts Definition An

Terrorism: Definition, Categories Reasons and Impacts

Definition An act of violence in unjust force is used called terrorism. Just Force: Supported by Constitution, Recognized International Law/Charters Unjust Force: Vice versa

Categories/Types of Terrorism Formal Terrorism: Supported by constitutional Body like state or organized group like Al-Qaida, Red Brigades, Red Army Faction mainly to achieve political and economic interests Informal Terrorism: Supported by loosely organized group or individuals mainly to achieve local, own and limited interest

Schools of Thought • Two prominent ideological schools of thoughts – Leftist Discourse – Rightist Discourse Leftists Discourse • Core idea of leftist discourse – Violence or terrorism is a perfect tool to achieve equality in wealth and resources if government or any class resists. – Revolution through blood shed ﺧﻮﻥ ﺑہﺎیﺎ is legitimate ﺟﺎﺋﺰ to obtain rights for the deprived class in a society • Profounder: – Karl Marx • Marxist-Leninist groups have usually avoided terrorism as a weapon before World War II • They preferred other kinds of violence like revolution and insurgencies (e. g. Mao) • Late 1960 s: Leftist terrorist groups came to limelight; Red Brigades, Red Army Faction etc • Failure of capitalism and popularity of communism further encouraged them • Red Brigade threatened political stability in Italy; Leftist groups challenged the status quo in Iran

Rightist Discourse Right-wing terrorism is motivated by a variety of ideologies and beliefs including • • Islamist-Jihad Catholics-used to wear cilice belt presuming it would shed their sins Jews-have sense of vengeance because of supposed Diaspora Hindus- Strive for ‘purification’

Difference between Jihad And Terrorism The case of Kashmir and Palestine

Reasons Political and Economic Deprivation is the core reason in all kinds of terrorism Other Reasons in the last 25 years: i) Terrorist activity is correlated with political, Economic violence and country’s safety and security environment 88%. ii) Lack of respect for human rights and for international organizations also correlates with terrorism 5%. iii) Religious 7% There are different drivers of terrorism in wealthier countries than in poorer countries.

Impact Economic Political Psychological Cultural Social Religious

Counter-Terrorism political or military activities designed to prevent terrorism