NCJ Number
68702
Journal
CHITTY'S LAW JOURNAL Volume: 27 Issue: 3 Dated: (1979) Pages: 92-97
Date Published
1979
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE PROVIDES A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF ASSASSINATION AS A FORM OF TERRORISM.
Abstract
TERRORISM INVOLVES THE GENERATION OF A HIGH LEVEL OF FEAR, ITS APPLICATION FOR COERCIVE PURPOSES, AND A HUMAN AUDIENCE. IT IS SOMETHING DONE BY PEOPLE TO IMPRESS OTHER PEOPLE AND IT MUST BE COST EFFECTIVE. THE ASSASSINATION OF A CHOSEN VICTIM IS SEEN AS A WAY TO INFLUENCE EVENTS AND, THROUGH THEM, THE POWER RELATIONSHIPS WITH WHICH THAT PERSON IS VITALLY CONNECTED. A TERRORISTIC ASSASSINATION IS DESIGNED TO IMPRESS BY STRIKING AT WHAT WAS FELT TO BE INVIOLATE OR INVULNERABLE, OR IT MUST DO SO IN A HORRIBLE WAY. THE TERRORIST IS CONSTANTLY FACED WITH THE PROBLEMS OF ESCALATION; VIOLENCE MUST BECOME MORE AND MORE NOVEL AND SPECTACULAR TO CAPTURE THE IMAGINATION OF THE AUDIENCE. ASSASSINATION ELIMINATES THE DIALOGUE THAT TERRORISTS MUST EMPLOY WHEN KIDNAPPING, TAKING HOSTAGES, AND THREATENING EXTORTION WITH BOMBS. THE TERRORIST HAS COME TO REALIZE THAT HE MUST COUNT LESS AND LESS UPON THE COOPERATION OF HIS VICTIMS TO MAKE HIS OPERATIONS WORK. COMPARED WITH OTHER FORMS OF TERRORISM, ASSASSINATION IS THE MOST ECONOMICAL UNDERTAKING, WHILE IT DEMONSTRATES RAW POWER AND CAN BE MOST INFLUENTIAL IF CARRIED OUT TO PERFECTION. PERFECT PROTECTION AGAINST THE RISKS OF ASSASSINATION IS A UTOPIAN DREAM. THE TYPE OF TERRORIST ASSASSIN OF POLITICAL EXTREMIST MOVEMENTS MAY BE A CRIMINAL OR A PSYCHOPATH, OR BOTH, BUT HE IS RARELY PSYCHOTIC. HE IS A MISFIT IN THE SOCIETY HE REJECTS. RECENTLY, THE TREND HAS BEEN FOR TERRORISTS TO GO AFTER THE SOFT TARGET, THOSE ON THE LOWER LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT AND BUREAUCRACY. PROTECTION FOR THESE PEOPLE MEANS A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN LIFESTYLE AND A GRAVE IMPAIRMENT IN THE QUALITY OF LIFE. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED.