NCJ Number
45528
Date Published
1978
Length
218 pages
Annotation
AN OVERVIEW OF TERRORISM AND AN EXAMINATION OF THE ISSUES THAT HAVE HINDERED THE INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO CONTROL THE PROBLEM ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR DEFINES TERRORISM AS AN ACT OF POLITICALLY MOTIVATED VIOLENCE AGAINST THE INNOCENT, USED AS A WEAPON AGAINST THE STATE. POLITICAL TERRORISTS ARE DISTINGUISHED FORM PROFESSIONAL CRIMINALS AND THE FANATICALLY INSANE. THESE ACTIONS OF TERRORISM SUCH AS BOMBING OR AIRCRAFT HIJACKING ARE GENERALLY USED AS POLITICAL AND QUASI-MILITARY STRATEGIES RATIONALLY BASED ON ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT GOVERNMENT FEARS AND REACTIONS TO VIOLENCE. THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE TERRORIST AND HIS VICTIMS IS EXPLORED. THE HOSTAGES ARE OFTEN CONVERTED BY THEIR CAPTORS, AND BEGIN TO TRUST THEM MORE THAN THEY WOULD TRUST THE AUTHORITIES WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO RESCUE THEM. ON THE OTHER HAND THE TERRORIST DEVELOPS A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HOSTAGES, AND THE NEGOTIATIONS MUST TRY TO KEEP THE TALKS GOING UNTIL THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CAPTIVES AND THE CAPTORS HAS DEVELOPED AND STABILIZED. THE AUTHOR DISCUSSES SOME PROBLEMS INVOLVED IN HANDLING ACTS OF TERRORISM. THESE INCLUDE TARGET HARDENING (THE TIGHTENING OF SECURITY MEASURES AND THE REFUSAL TO NEGOTIATE); THE COMPLICATING EFFECTS OF MASS MEDIA PUBLICITY AND MASS COMMUNICATIONS; THE PROBLEMS OF DETERMINING JURISDICTION AND WHEN AN ACT OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE WARRANTS EXTRADITION; AND THE APPROPRIATE WAYS OF DEALING WITH CONVICTED TERRORISTS. THE AUTHOR NOTES THAT GOVERNMENTS WHICH HAVE DEPLORED TERRORISM HAVE THEMSELVES USED IT: THE BRITISH ROYAL AIR FORCE BOMBING OF DRESDEN IN WORLD WAR II AND U.S. TACTICS AGAINST CIVILIANS IN VIET NAM. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT TERRORISM CAN SUCCEED IN ITS AIMS AND THAT TERRORISTS HAVE LEARNED THAT A FEW STRATEGIC KILLINGS CAN BRING A NATION TO ITS KNEES. A PREDICTION IS MADE THAT TERRORISM AS IN NORTHERN IRELAND WILL INCREASE AS A THREAT, SINCE IT IS EASIER TO COMMIT ACT OF TERROR THAN TO FIGHT A WAR TO ACHIEVE ONE'S AIMS. THUS, TERRORISM IS DEFINITELY A SOCIAL AND POLITICAL PROBLEM AND ANY INNOCENT INDIVIDUAL CAN BECOME INVOLVED IN IT. NOTES AND INDEX ARE PROVIDED. (BAC)