The Problems Defining Terrorism By Todd M Price MBA

?The Problems Defining Terrorism

?By Todd M Price MBA

Terrorism is a multifaceted and complex phenomenon that has become a significant issue of concern for many governments, international organizations, and communities worldwide. The term terrorism describes a wide range of activities and behaviors that aim to generate fear, panic, and destruction among the targeted audience. Despite its prevalence, defining terrorism has proven to be a challenging task. This paper explores the issues with defining terrorism, including the varying interpretations of the term, the contextual nature of terrorism, and the political implications of the definition.

One of the primary issues with defining terrorism is the lack of a universal definition. Different countries, organizations, and scholars have different interpretations of the term, leading to confusion and inconsistency in its usage. For instance, the United States defines terrorism as "premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against non-combatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience" (US State Department, 2019). In contrast, the United Nations has not agreed on a definition of terrorism, although it defines certain acts that constitute terrorist activities, such as bombing, hostage-taking, and hijacking (UN, 2004). These interpretation differences are confusing and make it challenging to develop a coordinated and practical approach to combating terrorism.

Another issue with defining terrorism is the contextual nature of the term. The same action can be perceived as terrorism in one context but not another. For instance, some groups considered terrorists in one country might be viewed as freedom fighters or liberation movements in another. The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) is an example of such a group. While it is considered a terrorist organization by Israel and the United States, it is viewed as a legitimate liberation movement by many Arab countries. Similarly, the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa was classified as a terrorist group during apartheid, but after the regime fell, it became a legitimate political party. These examples highlight the difficulties of defining terrorism in a way that is universally accepted.

Finally, the definition of terrorism is often politicized, which makes it even more challenging to arrive at a clear and objective definition. Governments and other entities may use terrorism to label their opponents or justify their actions. For instance, the United States used the term "War on Terror" to justify its military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Critics argue that using the term was a ploy to mask US imperialistic goals and an excuse to invade sovereign nations. The politicization of terrorism makes it challenging to agree on a definition, exacerbates conflicts, and undermines trust between countries.

In conclusion, terrorism is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that has become a significant issue of concern worldwide. Defining terrorism has proven to be a challenging task due to the varying interpretations of the term, the contextual nature of terrorism, and the political implications of the definition. To address this issue, a universal definition that is objective and not politicized needs to be developed. Until then, different interpretations of the term will continue to create confusion and inconsistencies, making it challenging to develop a coordinated and practical approach to combating terrorism.

References

United Nations. (2004). Report of the Secretary-General pursuant to General Assembly resolution 58/187. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/59/565

US State Department. (2019). Country Reports on Terrorism 2019. Retrieved from https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Country-Reports-on-Terrorism-2019-1.pdf