I have a hard time pinning down a real definition of the term "terrorism" in its contemporary usage. It seems to be a controversial term to say the least, with many different groups and individuals defining it in many different ways. Is it possible to know the nature or essence of this phenomenon that we call terrorism? Or is it too nebulous a term to map onto a strict definition? I am unsure.
It certainly seems to have certain characteristics common to many if not most acts referred to as terrorist acts. For example, some of these characteristics would probably include acts that are:
* Violent or Destructive
* Targeting civilians or non-combatants
* Intended to strike fear into a population
* For the sake of a political, ideological, religious, or otherwise social cause
Would you include any or all of these in your definition of terrorism? What might you add or subtract? — Brian
Terrorism is a tactic.
That is how I would define it. — WISDOMfromPO-MO
So if I have a tactic I use in chess, you'd say that was terrorism? — Hanover
I have a hard time pinning down a real definition of the term "terrorism" in its contemporary usage. It seems to be a controversial term to say the least, with many different groups and individuals defining it in many different ways. Is it possible to know the nature or essence of this phenomenon that we call terrorism? Or is it too nebulous a term to map onto a strict definition? I am unsure. — Brian
* Violent or Destructive
* Targeting civilians or non-combatants
* Intended to strike fear into a population
* For the sake of a political, ideological, religious, or otherwise social cause — Brian
They aren't dumb, they're unreasonable, and won't negotiate — Wosret
I am willing to bet that any terrorist would prefer that their demands are met than to carry out their terrorist act. — FreeEmotion
There is something I remember a pro-Bush supporter said when I told them I was more scared of people working against us from within our society and our government then the "terrorist" that we hunt all over the globe to which she joking remarked "One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter as well as one person's freedom fighter is somebody else's terrorist" which is kind of interesting when you think about it.I have a hard time pinning down a real definition of the term "terrorism" in its contemporary usage. It seems to be a controversial term to say the least, with many different groups and individuals defining it in many different ways. Is it possible to know the nature or essence of this phenomenon that we call terrorism? Or is it too nebulous a term to map onto a strict definition? I am unsure.
It certainly seems to have certain characteristics common to many if not most acts referred to as terrorist acts. For example, some of these characteristics would probably include acts that are:
* Violent or Destructive
* Targeting civilians or non-combatants
* Intended to strike fear into a population
* For the sake of a political, ideological, religious, or otherwise social cause
Would you include any or all of these in your definition of terrorism? What might you add or subtract? — Brian
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