NCJ Number
57880
Journal
GEGENWARTSKUNDE Volume: 27 Issue: 2 Dated: (1978) Pages: GESELLSCHAFT,STAAT,ERZIEHUNG,P 213-226
Date Published
1978
Length
14 pages
Annotation
EXPLANATIONS OFFERED BY GERMAN JOURNALISTS AND POLITICIANS FOR THE PHENOMENON OF TERRORISM ARE COLLECTED AND REPRINTED.
Abstract
IN THE WAKE OF RECENT ACTS OF TERRORISM IN WEST GERMANY, THE GERMAN PRESS HAS PRINTED MANY EXPLANATIONS. IN TERMS OF BIOGRAPHY MOST TERRORISTS COME FROM PROTECTED, EDUCATED HOMES. WHEN, AT SOME TIME IN THEIR LIVES, THEY BECOME AWARE OF SOCIAL INJUSTICE AROUND THEM, THEY TURN TO MARXISM AND EVENTUALLY TO VIOLENT ACTION. THEY COMPLETELY IDENTIFY WITH A CLOSED GROUP OF IDEOLOGICAL FANATICS AND BREAK ALL CONTACTS WITH THE 'CORRUPT' WORLD AROUND THEM. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE SOCIAL AND POLITICAL SYSTEM ITSELF ENCOURAGES TERRORISM; THE REGULATED AND RATIONAL LIFE STYLE OF WEST GERMANS STIFLES VIOLENT AND SPONTANEOUS EMOTIONAL IMPULSES SO THAT TERRORISTS PERSONIFY THE SUPPRESSED ANARCHIC ASPECTS OF ALL GERMANS. THE OVERALL DISINTEGRATION OF FIXED MORAL AND RELIGIOUS VALUES IS CITED AS ANOTHER REASON FOR TERRORISM: THE TERRORIST IS ULTIMATELY A RIGID MORALIST. THE DEMOCRATIC FORM OF GOVERNMENT WITH ITS CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL RESTRICTIONS OF POLICE ACTION IS PARTICULARLY POWERLESS AGAINST TERRORISM. A POSSIBLE EDUCATIONAL FACTOR THAT MAY PRODUCE TERRORISTS MENTIONED BY JOURNALISTS THAT MUCH OF THE OFFICIAL POLITICAL RESEARCH AND THEORY AT GERMAN UNIVERSITIES IS MARXIST ORIENTED IS REFUTED BY OTHER JOURNALISTS, WHO ARGUE THAT THE CONFUSED, MISGUIDED INTERPRETATION OF THE SCIENTIFIC AND POLITICAL THEORIES FURNISHES THE IDEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF TERRORISM. MEASURES THE GOVERNMENT MAY ADOPT TO CURB TERRORISM INCLUDE A RIGID CRITICISM OF MARXIST DOCTRINE AT THE UNIVERSITIES AND A STRICT STAND TOWARDS TERRORISTS AND THEIR DEMANDS. --IN GERMAN. (SAJ)