A key question is the territorial reach of a states international human rights obligations. Strategic framework for countering terrorism and targeted violence. Terrorism, the calculated use of violence to create a general climate of fear in a population and thereby to bring about a particular political objective. It presents generalizations about terrorisma form of political violence by, for, and against the stateand politics and violence based on the theories of. Country reports on terrorism country reports on terrorism country reports on terrorism is submitted in compliance with title 22 of the united states code, section 2656f the act, which requires the department of state to provide to congress a full and complete annual report on terrorism for those countries and groups meeting the criteria of the act. The problem of the problem of definition 1978 26 chittys law journal 105. Future research should continue to explore the prevalence of state sponsored terrorism over time and. Distribute to students the definitions of terrorism handout 2. Introduction the question of whether and how to define the crime of terrorism is. A critical analysis of the exclusion of the state in. Countries determined by the secretary of state to have repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism are designated pursuant to three laws. Keywords definitions of terrorism, the state, state terrorism. There is still, however, the matter of intentionality.
Terrorist united nations office on drugs and crime. State actors in an international definition of terrorism from a human rights perspective bruce broomhallt i. State terrorism definition of state terrorism by the free. Future research should continue to explore the prevalence of statesponsored terrorism over time and. I will then demonstrate that just because the state claims a monopoly.
But i must start with a few words on the definition of terrorism. In the light of these comments i shall then make a few remarks on counterterrorism. I will then demonstrate that just because the state claims a monopoly on the use of violence in. State terrorism definition is terrorism by a government. Yet terrorism, its definition, causes, and methods of dealing with it, has rarely been dealt with in high school courses. Under section 2 of the homeland security act of 2002. Scholar gus martin describes state terrorism as terrorism committed by governments and quasigovernmental agencies and personnel against perceived threats, which can be directed against both domestic and foreign targets. Definition of state terrorism in the medical dictionary by the free dictionary. State terrorism exists which is similar to non state terrorism in that it involves politically, religiously or ideologically inspired acts of violence against individuals or groups outside of an armed conflict. This paper examines and juxtaposes discourses about terrorism, violence, and political leadership.
Ii of this article, the historical definition of terrorism is discussed. Statesponsored terrorism appears to be much more lethal than nonstate terrorism, and there is evidence the u. Cooper states that the problem of the definition of terrorism is more than semantic. While problems of state sponsorship of terrorism continue, years of sustained counterterrorism efforts, including diplo matic and economic isolation, have. Terrorism is the use of violence, especially murder and bombing, in order to achieve political goals or to force a government to do something. A state can sponsor terrorism by funding or harboring a terrorist group.
To counter terrorism, the fbis top investigative priority, we use our investigative and intelligence capabilities to neutralize domestic extremists and help dismantle terrorist networks worldwide. Abstract this paper examines the methodological problems involved in identifying and evaluating the extent of state terrorism. Marcs definition of terrorism contains 4 elements 1 first, terrorism is at root a violent act a. The us state department designation is authorized by three laws. Byman analysis paper number 16, may 2008 brookings 1775 massachusetts ave. The original general meaning of terrorism was of terrorism by the state, as reflected in the 1798. Contemporary state terrorism this volume aims to bring the state back into terrorism studies and fill the notable gap that currently exists in our understanding of the ways in which states employ terrorism as a political strategy of internal governance or foreign policy.
There is no universal agreement on the definition of terrorism. When states provide funding for groups considered by some to be terrorist, they rarely acknowledge them as such. My aim in this paper is to offer some comments on these two topics. The majority of definitions in use has been written by agencies. One possible definition is the us state departments list of state sponsors of terrorism. Opinions as to which acts of violence by states consist of state sponsored terrorism vary widely. Countries such as turkey, pakistan and afghanistan have practiced and are still practicing stat. Although the term is not subject to a universally agreed definition, terrorism can.
In the 20th century, authoritarian states systematically committed to using violence and extreme versions of threat against their own civilians exemplify the premise of state terrorism. You may ask them, for homework, to discuss their group definition and those found on the terrorism definition handout. State terrorism definition of state terrorism by merriam. State terrorism can be directed externally against foreign adversaries or internally against domestic enemies. Terrorism as a force in social and international relations appears to some as a relapse into barbarism, a peculiar and dismal aberration of civilized life, and a step backward in the conduct of war. Definitions of terrorism are complex and controversial.
Terrorism by the state is still terrorism university of. This definition states that terrorism is a violent act or an act dangerous to human life in violation of the criminal laws of the united states or of any state to intimidate or coerce a. You may ask them, for homework, to discuss their group definition and those found on the terrorism definition handout with friends or family members. The use of violence for the achievement of political ends is common to state and nonstate groups. State terrorism article about state terrorism by the free. Terrorism definition and meaning collins english dictionary. The focus on non state terrorism in the literature and the present war on terror may be misplaced. It really is a cloak for a complexity of problems, psychological, political, legalistic, and practical. Apr 12, 2020 state terrorism is a form of terrorism committed by the government of a nation state. Opponents of the concept argue terrorism does not apply to governments, and that actions deemed state terrorism, such as targeting civilians in wartime, falls under the definition of war crimes or human rights violations instead, with including them diluting the term. Apr 08, 2014 department of homeland security dhs definition of terrorism.
State terrorism synonyms, state terrorism pronunciation, state terrorism translation, english dictionary definition of state terrorism. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the u. Human rights, terrorism and counterterrorism ohchr. As the drone programme is overtly carried out by the united states, the issue of responsibility is out of the table. Counter terrorism strategy central intelligence agency. In fact, the need for a definition of terrorism can be seen at almost every phase of contending with terrorism diagram 1 below. State terrorism definition of state terrorism by lexico. Department of homeland security dhs definition of terrorism. While a definition of terrorism, like a definition of war is not solving the underlying problem, a lack of definition is perceived widely as one of the factors likely to encourage future terrorism. Mar 30, 2016 state terrorism refers to acts of terrorism conducted by a state. Criminal acts intended or calculated to provoke a state of terror in the general. In an effort to assist teachers in helping their students identify and understand terrorism, the united states institute of. Dealing with terrorism has become the centerpiece of u. The state could practice terrorism to control its people or damage foreign countries.
It attempts the former by examining the two parts that constitute this conceptual problem i. Pdf state violence as state terrorism researchgate. This term has attracted some controversy, as it can involve fuzzy definitions and imperfect distinctions between the legitimate use of violence and intimidation and the illegitimate use of such tactics. The changing nature of state sponsorship of terrorism daniel l. Yet terrorism, its definition, causes, and methods of dealing with it, has rarely. The focus on nonstate terrorism in the literature and the present war on terror may be misplaced. Post the definition of state terrorism to facebook share the definition of state terrorism on twitter. Terrorist designations and state sponsors of terrorism. The changing nature of state sponsorship of terrorism. Noam chomsky defines state terrorism as terrorism practised by states or governments and their agents and allies. Country reports on terrorism united states department of state. Dissent terrorism, which are terrorist groups which. State terrorism refers to acts of terrorism which a state conducts against another state or against.
State sponsored terrorism appears to be much more lethal than non state terrorism, and there is evidence the u. Oct 23, 2019 as it has been mentioned above, the definition of state terrorism faces two main problems. State terrorism state terrorism has been defined as acts of terrorism conducted by governments or terrorism carried out directly by, or encouraged and funded by, an established government of a state country or terrorism practiced by a government against its own people or in support of international terrorism. It then moves on to an analysis of the practical difficulties involved in applying such a definition. Nazi germany and the soviet union under stalins rule are frequently cited as historical cases of state terrorism. State actors in an international definition of terrorism from. Department of state of the views or products contained therein. Within this broader context, the volume has a number of specific aims. Definition, history, and types of terrorism online degree programs. Statesponsored terrorism, which consists of terrorist acts on a state or government by a state or government. For example, in countries like the former soviet union, china. Dr steve hewitt explores how terrorism by the state is still terrorism. State terrorism definition of state terrorism by medical.
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