NCJ Number
141770
Date Published
1993
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This paper focuses on the content and role of ideology in leftist revolutionary terrorism.
Abstract
Although the association between thought and action is always complex, ideological belief usually underlies the motivations in leftist terrorism. This is clear in the following statement by the Red Brigade's Patrizio Peci: "It is obvious that one does not make such a choice if one does not believe completely in communism, if one does not believe in armed struggle as the only way to bring it about, if one does not believe in victory." Leftist terrorist ideology flows from a relatively unified tradition that exhibits both enduring and emerging themes. The "enduring" theme is represented by communism, anarchism, and, more recently, Third World revolutionary thought. These three tendencies have contributed such key longstanding themes as the indispensable role of clandestine terrorist organization, "propaganda by deed," and guerilla-style urban terrorism. After discussion of the foregoing in initial sections of this paper, attention is given to the "emerging" themes of recent international terrorism. Particular emphasis is given to themes associated with the concept of the Third World waging war on the First World. The focus is primarily on the Abu Nidal Organization, along with a brief discussion of the Italian Red Brigades and the Peruvian Sendero Luminoso. 54 notes