"Was this an act of terrorism or an act of war?"
The word “terrorism” has been seen more and more in the past years than ever. This word is constantly seen on our television screens, social media, and constant conversation. Terrorism is a phenomenon that is extremely difficult to define and understand. The large difference, definition to definition, of terrorism by the FBI, The State Department, Department of Homeland Security, and Defense Department truly shows how complicated of an issue it is. The fact that these definitions are at such a wide range and all departments are under one government further exemplifies how difficult it is to come to terms in a world view.
Terrorism has no one legal or academic true definition. The United States Government alone has twenty different definitions for this word. One step necessary to further understand terrorism is understanding what it isn’t. Organized crime is not terrorism, and organized crime groups are not the same as the terrorist groups commonly seen. Though organized crime groups and terrorist groups often use violence to result in their final goals and business, these two are very far a part in many different realms.
Terrorist groups are typically motivated by a social, religious, or political purpose while organized crime groups are usually motivated by growing wealth. Most terrorist groups seek after government recognition and respect from citizens while organized crime groups tend to steer clear of government recognition.
Another situation Terrorism technically isn’t is an attack or violence between nations. These should more correctly be referred to as an “Act of War.” This can be misconceived because the term terrorism is thrown around so much that “Acts of War” tend to be labeled as terrorism. Another tricky aspect of this though is that if the government is indirectly funding a terrorist organization that commits violent crimes, this defined as some as terrorism.
A difficult element of understanding in the term terrorism is violent efforts by revolutionary groups. This becomes especially tricky when citizens are rising from an oppressive government. These groups and guerilla groups are fighting not to be labeled with the term terrorism.
A factor that leads to terrorism being this confusing of a topic and definition is that there is no blanket federal charge for terrorism. After someone commits a mass crime of violence they will not receive a federal terrorist charge unless they are working for one of the terrorist organizations identified by the State Department. This is contributing to it being so difficult to define acts of terror versus hate crimes domestically.
The best definition of terrorism is, “Violence, or the threat of violence, against non-combatant or civilians, usually motivated by political, religious, or ideological beliefs.“ It is the best definition because it is so broad. It is too complex of an issue, also too constantly changing in definition and culture, to correctly pin point.
The most important aspect in defining terrorism is the motivation by these violent crimes. It is a thin line to walk on. The motivation by either political, religious, or ideological beliefs separates it from just random acts of violence or regular criminal activity. Without a motivation it cant be justified or categorized as terrorism. Though these victims and their loved ones are equally as impacted by these heinous crimes, there is a difference between random acts of violence and acts of terror.
With the giant legal structure set by this country our citizens are used to a lot of black and white when it comes to legal affairs involving violence. Terrorism is set totally apart and can not be defined by one simple definition.
It’s hard to define terrorism. It is so hard on an international scale because what is considered to be a terrorist is someone else’s freedom fighter.
Terrorism has no one legal or academic true definition. The United States Government alone has twenty different definitions for this word. One step necessary to further understand terrorism is understanding what it isn’t. Organized crime is not terrorism, and organized crime groups are not the same as the terrorist groups commonly seen. Though organized crime groups and terrorist groups often use violence to result in their final goals and business, these two are very far a part in many different realms.
Terrorist groups are typically motivated by a social, religious, or political purpose while organized crime groups are usually motivated by growing wealth. Most terrorist groups seek after government recognition and respect from citizens while organized crime groups tend to steer clear of government recognition.
Another situation Terrorism technically isn’t is an attack or violence between nations. These should more correctly be referred to as an “Act of War.” This can be misconceived because the term terrorism is thrown around so much that “Acts of War” tend to be labeled as terrorism. Another tricky aspect of this though is that if the government is indirectly funding a terrorist organization that commits violent crimes, this defined as some as terrorism.
A difficult element of understanding in the term terrorism is violent efforts by revolutionary groups. This becomes especially tricky when citizens are rising from an oppressive government. These groups and guerilla groups are fighting not to be labeled with the term terrorism.
A factor that leads to terrorism being this confusing of a topic and definition is that there is no blanket federal charge for terrorism. After someone commits a mass crime of violence they will not receive a federal terrorist charge unless they are working for one of the terrorist organizations identified by the State Department. This is contributing to it being so difficult to define acts of terror versus hate crimes domestically.
The best definition of terrorism is, “Violence, or the threat of violence, against non-combatant or civilians, usually motivated by political, religious, or ideological beliefs.“ It is the best definition because it is so broad. It is too complex of an issue, also too constantly changing in definition and culture, to correctly pin point.
The most important aspect in defining terrorism is the motivation by these violent crimes. It is a thin line to walk on. The motivation by either political, religious, or ideological beliefs separates it from just random acts of violence or regular criminal activity. Without a motivation it cant be justified or categorized as terrorism. Though these victims and their loved ones are equally as impacted by these heinous crimes, there is a difference between random acts of violence and acts of terror.
With the giant legal structure set by this country our citizens are used to a lot of black and white when it comes to legal affairs involving violence. Terrorism is set totally apart and can not be defined by one simple definition.
It’s hard to define terrorism. It is so hard on an international scale because what is considered to be a terrorist is someone else’s freedom fighter.