NCJ Number
27935
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 48 Issue: 2 Dated: (APRIL-JUNE 1975) Pages: 102-112
Date Published
1975
Length
11 pages
Annotation
THE POSSIBLE MOTIVATIONS AND OBJECTIVES OF TERRORIST GROUPS ARE REVIEWED, AND THEIR MANIPULATION OF MOST DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS' RELUCTANCE TO SUSPEND DEMOCRATIC PRIVILEGES IN ORDER TO APPREHEND TERRORISTS IS DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR STATES THAT A DEMOCRACY EVEN WHEN CONFRONTED WITH A SERIOUS TERRORIST THREAT, IS STILL RELUCTANT TO SUSPEND BASIC FREEDOMS AS A COUNTERMEASURE IN THE BELIEF THAT THIS ACTION IS A GREATER DANGER TO THE LEGITIMACY OF THE DEMOCRATIC STATE AND THE MASS CONSENSUS VITAL TO ITS PRESERVATION THAN THE TERRORIST CHALLENGE ITSELF. IT IS THIS HESITANCY WHICH THE TERRORIST GROUP USES FOR ITS STRATEGIC PLAN. POLICE IN THESE COUNTRIES ARE THUS SEEN TO BE FORCED INTO A DECIDED DISADVANTAGE, SINCE THEY ARE UNABLE TO RESPOND EARLY ENOUGH AND IN A SUFFICIENTLY FORCEFUL WAY TO CATCH A TERRORIST SCHEME IN ITS INCIPIENT STAGES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)