Defining Terrorism

The word 'terrorism' is a hard word to define. Terrorism was first utilized during the French Revolution and was seen as a positive thing in the eighteenth century (Howard & Sawyer, 2006). Over time, the word 'terrorism' has evolved into a word that is viewed with extreme negativity. Since the September 11, 2001 attacks on American soil, this word has become a household word and has been utilized in describing many acts of violence as portrayed by the media (Howard & Sawyer). The definition of 'terrorism' has been debated over many years and even within the United States there exist many different definitions for this word. Perhaps the most widely accepted definitions of terrorism come from what the government believes the word means, along with the international community. The definitions that are to be discussed come from the State Department, the FBI, and the Department of Defense (O'Connor, 2006).

Terrorism is defined by the State Department, under Title 22 of the U.S. Code, Chapter 38, Section 2656f(d) as being "premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by sub-national groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience" (O'Connor, p. 9, Para 2). This definition of terrorism is utilized to counter terrorist acts that have met the requirements of being premeditated and politically motivated (O'Connor). In contrast, the FBI has defined terrorism in a way that the acts are treated as a crime and its definition is utilized for law enforcement training purposes. The FBI's definition of terrorism is "the unlawful use of force against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population or any segment thereof, in the furtherance of political or social objectives" (Terrorism, 2006, Para 1). This definition considers any random acts of violence that are committed for personal interests as terrorism, unlike that of the State Department's definition.

An example of an act that would be viewed differently between these two definitions would an individual who rammed an ATM machine with a vehicle and collected $10,000 from their act would not be considered a terrorist act under the State Department's definition of terrorism, unless the individual stated that s/he committed the act for the purpose of getting back at the government (O'Connor). On the other hand, the FBI would classify this act as terrorism regardless of where the money went, as long as the individual is proven to be an associate of a terrorist group (O'Connor).

The definition that the Department of Defense has constructed states that terrorism is "the calculated use, or threatened use, of force or violence against individuals or property to coerce or intimidate governments or societies, often to achieve political, religious, or ideological objectives" (O'Connor, p.9, Para 2). This definition given by the Department of Defense focuses more on the goals of terrorists, than the State Department or the FBI. The State Department defined terrorism with a focus on the motivations of the terrorist acts and the FBI turned its focus to the methods that are used to commit the act of terrorism (O'Connor).

Since these three definitions have differing focuses, the best definition of terrorism can be constructed by meshing the three together. Simonsen and Spinlove have combined the three definitions of terrorism together had have collectively come with one of the best definitions for terrorism (O'Connor). The combined definition would look similar to the following: "terrorism is the clandestine, criminal resort to violence or threat of violence on the part of a group toward innocent bystanders which seeks to accomplish some purpose against some recognized authority. The purpose is usually political and the target is usually civilian" (O'Connor, p.10, Para 2).

With the above definitions of terrorism, there are differences even though they are constructed by the government of the United States of America. The fight on terrorism should not be concerned on which is the most widely accepted definition, but rather on the components that make up terrorism. The use of violence, the message of political change, and the targets, which are generally the innocent citizens, exist in all three definitions of terrorism and others that have been constructed by other governments (O'Connor). As long as the act includes violence, a political message, and the targets are innocent civilian life, the act should be viewed as a terrorist act.

References

Howard, R. & Sawyer, R. (Eds). (2006). Terrorism and counterterrorism: understanding

the new security environment. Dubuque, IA: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

O'Connor, T. (2006). Definitions of Terrorism. Retrieved May 21, 2006 from

http://faculty.ncwc.edu/toconnor/429/429lect01.htm .

Terrorism. (2006). What is Terrorism? Retrieved May 21, 2006 from

http://terrorism.about.com/od/historyofterrorism/a/defineterror_p.htm .