NCJ Number
62316
Journal
American Journal of International Law Volume: 67 Issue: 5 Dated: (NOVEMBER 1973) Pages: 100-104
Date Published
1973
Length
5 pages
Annotation
UNCONVENTIONAL VIOLENCE IS INTERPRETED AS A MEANS FOR THE MILITARILY WEAK TO ADVANCE CAUSES OF NATIONAL LIBERATION.
Abstract
IN SPITE OF ALL EFFORTS TO CONTROL AND SUPPRESS THE USE OF VIOLENCE IN INTERNATIONAL CONFLICTS, NATIONS AND POLITICAL GROUPS CONTINUE TO USE VIOLENCE AS A MEANS FOR MAINTAINING OR SECURING A STATE OF AFFAIRS BELIEVED TO BE IN THEIR BEST INTERESTS. POWERFUL NATIONS USE OR THREATEN TO USE THEIR ADVANCED WEAPONRY IN DIRECT MILITARY COMBAT TO TERRORIZE REAL OR IMAGINED ENEMIES INTO SUBMISSION. ESTABLISHED STATES USE A VARIETY OF TACTICS TO TERRORIZE A DISSATISFIED PEOPLE INTO AN ACCEPTANCE OF THE STATUS QUO. IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THOSE WHO WIELD CONVENTIONAL POWER IN THE INTEREST OF CONTROLLING EVENTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THEIR NATION OR RULING PARTY WILL PEACEFULLY RELINQUISH POWER OR UNSELFISHLY ALTER THEIR POLICIES TO ACCOMMODATE THE NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE DISENFRANCHISED WHO LACK THE POWER OF CONVENTIONAL THREATS OF DIRECT MILITARY CONFRONTATION. FOR THOSE WHO SEEK NATIONAL LIBERATION OR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THEIR BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE FACE OF A MILITARILY POWERFUL OBSTRUCTIONIST GOVERNMENT, UNCONVENTIONAL VIOLENCE MAY BE THEIR ONLY RECOURSE OR LEVERAGE FOR INFLUENCING EVENTS. FOR THE TRADITIONALLY POWERFUL TO AIM AT SUPPRESSING SUCH UNCONVENTIONAL VIOLENCE IS NOT ONLY HYPOCRITICAL BUT IS A TACTIC DESIGNED TO MAINTAIN THE STATUS QUO WITHOUT ANXIETY-PRODUCING DISRUPTION. LIBERATION MOVEMENTS WILL PERSIST UNTIL COUNTRIES MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO DO JUSTICE FOR ALL THEIR CITIZENS AND THE DISENFRANCHISED. (RCB)