NCJ Number
59965
Journal
Deviance et societe Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (MARCH 1978) Pages: 1-34
Date Published
1978
Length
34 pages
Annotation
THE DIALECTICAL MODEL FOR ANALYZING TERRORISM IS ILLUSTRATED WITH THE EXAMPLE OF THE BAADER-MEINHOF GANG AND THEN COMPARED TO THE ACTION AND REACTION MODELS.
Abstract
THE BAADER-MEINHOF GANG IS USED AS AN ILLUSTRATION FOR THE DIALECTIC MODEL BECAUSE IT IS CLOSE IN TIME AND SPACE, IT IS DOMINATED BY A PSYCHOTIC ATMOSPHERE, AND IT ILLUSTRATES THE INTERACTION BETWEEN FACTS AND ATTITUDES, REALITY AND ANALYSIS, THEORY AND PRACTICE. THE DIALECTICAL MODEL CONSIDERS TERRORISM A PROCESS IN NEED OF HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION. UNLIKE OTHER BIOLOGICAL MODELS, THE DIALECTICAL MODEL ATTEMPTS TO INTEGRATE AS MANY THEORETICAL ELEMENTS AS POSSIBLE WITHOUT PRIOR SELECTION. THE INTERNAL MORALS OF TERRORISM MAY BE VERIFIED BY COMPARING THE FACTS OF TERRORIST RESISTANCE TO THE THEORETICAL FORMS OF RESISTANCE FOR LEGITIMATION; THE DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES BETWEEN INTERNAL MORALS AND GENERAL MORALS ARE REVEALED BY CONTRASTING ACTION STRUCTURES OF THE TERRORIST OPPOSITION AND THE BASES FOR LEGITIMATION DEVELOPED HISTORICALLY. STATES DESCRIBED ARE (1) THE SPONTANEOUS PERIOD OF PROTEST WITHOUT IDEOLOGY FROM APRIL 1968 TO MAY 1970; (2) THE GROWTH OF SPLINTER GROUPS, INCLUDING THE RED ARMY FRACTION, AND ESCALATION OF VIOLENCE FROM MAY 1970 TO MAY 1972; (3) THE SPECTACULAR TRIALS OF THE BAADAR-MEINHOF GANG'S MEMBERS FROM MAY 1972 TO MAY 1976; AND (4) A PERIOD OF BOMBINGS AND KIDNAPPINGS FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF ULRICKE MEINHOF. THE DIALECTICAL METHOD SEEKS TO INTEGRATE THE ACTION MODEL WITH THE REACTION MODEL. THE ACTION MODEL FOCUSES ON ACCELERATED RESTORATION OF CAPITALISM AFTER WORLD WAR II, STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF A STATE OF LAWS, WHILE ADVOCATING CHANGES IN THE CONSTITUTION; FOR THIS SCHOOL, THE BAADER-MEINHOF GANG SERVES AS AN EXCUSE FOR CONSTITUTIONAL MODIFICATIONS. IN THE REACTION MODEL, THE CONSTITUTIONAL STATE IS MAINTAINED BY JUDICIAL AND POLICE ORGANIZATIONS, WHICH TRY TO PRESERVE THE LEVELS OF CULTURE AND CIVILIZATION ALREADY ATTAINED; INNOVATIONS MUST BE ACCEPTED BY A MAJORITY AND CONSENSUS IS REACHED BY COMPETITION BETWEEN DIFFERENT INTERACTING GROUPS LOYAL TO THE DEMOCRATIC STATE. IN THIS VIEW LAW IS CORRELATED TO ORDER. AN ATTEMPT AT INTEGRATION OF TERRORISM ACCORDING TO THE DIALECTICAL MODEL SUGGESTS THAT TERRORISM'S NONACCEPTANCE OF LAWS AND ESPOUSAL OF TOTAL CRITICISM HAS BEEN MET WITH A POLICY OF LIQUIDATION AND REPRESSION AND THAT TERRORIST INSISTENCE ON VIOLENT MEANS FOR SOCIAL REFORM IS THE EFFECT OF DISILLUSIONMENT WITH INTELLECTUAL MODES OF CHANGE. EXTENSIVE NOTES ARE SUPPLIED. --IN FRENCH. (KMD)