NCJ Number
62220
Journal
American Journal of Economics and Sociology Volume: 21 Dated: (SPRING 1962) Pages: 165-172
Date Published
1962
Length
8 pages
Annotation
A SOCIOCULTURAL ANALYSIS OF TERRORISM, WITH SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO KIDNAPPING, IDENTIFIES THE SOCIOLOGICAL ELEMENTS IN TERROR AND VIOLENCE.
Abstract
TERROR IS USUALLY DEFINED AS A PERIOD OF POLITICAL EXECUTIONS, SUCH AS OCCURS DURING A REVOLUTION. VIOLENCE REFERS TO THE ILLEGAL EMPLOYMENT OF PHYSICAL COERCION FOR PERSONAL GROUP ENDS. SOCIOLOGICALLY, TERRORISM REPRESENTS INTENSE FEAR AND SUFFERING AS THE RESULT OF INTIMIDATION BY A PERSON, THING, OR PRACTICE WHOSE AIM IS TO DISORGANIZE THE GOVERNMENT IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE POLITICAL CHANGE. IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, VIOLENCE AND TERROR ARE CUSTOMARY; WITHIN ESTABLISHED STATES VIOLENCE IS ALWAYS CONDEMNED (UNLESS USED BY GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES THEMSELVES). TERROR AND VIOLENCE AS TECHNIQUES ARE LIMITED BY CULTURAL STANDARDS THAT DETERMINE THE EXTENT AND MANNER IN WHICH SUCH TECHNIQUES ARE EXPRESSED, INHIBITED, AND SUBLIMATED. TERROR IS ONLY ONE ASPECT OF THE WHOLE FIELD OF VIOLENCE. INDIVIDUAL OR MASS TERRORISM CAN EXIST, AND TERRORISM IN GENERAL CAN BE DIVIDED IN TERMS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL STRATEGIES AND THE DIRECT ACTION METHOD. THE INTRODUCTION OF KIDNAPPING BY THE NAZIS AS A POLITICAL FORM OF TERRORISM AND THE SUBSEQUENT USE OF KIDNAPPING ARE EXPLORED. THE EMOTIONAL ELEMENT IN TERROR AND VIOLENCE AND THE ROLE OF INTELLECTUALS IN THE TERRORIST MOVEMENT ARE ALSO CONSIDERED. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (DEP) INDEFINITELY. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (MRK)