Why is There No Consensus on the Definition of Terrorism?

On September 11, 2001 the United States was forever changed by an act of terrorism. The total number of deaths including all the passengers/crew on the planes, victims in both of the World Trade Center Towers, the Pentagon, police officers and firefighters was an astonishing 2,986 deaths (Bullock, Haddow, & Coppola, et al., 2006, pg. 19). Terrorism is by no means a new concept nor are all terrorists from the Middle East (Al-Qaeda, and Hezbollah). Since the media only portrays the Middle East terrorist organizations here is a brief list of several other former and current organizations...

-Japanese Red Army
-Continuity Irish Republican Army (Ireland)
-Real IRA (Ireland)
-Revolutionary Nuclei (Greece)
-National Liberation Army (Columbia)

Most people can not define terrorism however; they know it when they see it. The federal agencies of the United States can not even agree on a definition (CIA, FBI, DOD, etc.). I will briefly give three definitions of terrorism as well as explain how they differ. The first definition comes from the Department of Defense (DOD). According to the DOD, 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, ideological objectives" (www.terrorism.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Newsfile=article). The second definition is listed in Title 22 of the United States Code, Section 2656f(d) and is as follows: "Terrorism is the premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by sub national groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience" (www.history.navy.mil/library/guides/terrorism.htm#def). Finally, the third definition is from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, "Terrorism is the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives" (Howard, R.D., & Sawyer, R.L., 2006, pg. 19)

As stated above, the FBI, CIA, and DOD can not agree on a definition of terrorism. I do believe it is also important to mention that not one definition is universally accepted nor are we close to coming to a consensus. That not only includes the above agencies but other countries and the United Nations as well. However, there are several common elements in most definitions. The first element is the threat of or use of violence. The second element is that the violence is directed at noncombatants or civilians (http://faculty.ncwc.edu/toconnor/429/429lect01.htm). The third element is that the motivations are usually political/religious. The fourth element of most definitions is that the terrorists are committing these acts to "terrorize" an "audience broader that the immediate victims to create a general climate of fear..." (www.terrorism.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Newsfile=article). The definitions usually vary according to the specific agency or department using it. Both the FBI and DOD use a definition that makes terrorism against the law.

Only the definition from the U.S. Code states that the terrorists are motivated to reach an audience above and beyond the immediate victims. I believe that is one of the most crucial elements of terrorism. When the terrorist hijacks a plane, bombs a building, or assassinates a political figure, they have every intention of the act reaching many more people than the immediate victims. They are trying to psychologically scare and terrorize an entire government or society. They want power whether the power is for political, social or religious reasons; they want it and will do whatever necessary to obtain it. The terrorist sees their acts not as terrorism or crime but as goods deeds.

Reference List:
Bullock, J.A., Haddow, G.D., & Coppola, D., et al., 2006. "Introduction to Homeland Security, (2nd ed.)". Burlington, MA: Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann. (Ch.1, pg.19).

Connor, T., (2003). Retrieved January 22, 2007 from http://faculty.ncwc.edu/toconnor/429/429lect01.htm

Howard, R.D., & Sawyer, R.L., 2006. "Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Understanding the New Security Environment, (2nd ed.). Dubuque, IA: McGraw-Hill.

Navy Department Library, 2003. Retrieved February 22, 2007 from http://www.history.navy.mil/library/guides/terrorism.htm#defintion

Terrorism Research Center, 2006. "Combating Terrorism". Retrieved February 22, 2007 from http://www.terrorism.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Newsfile=article