When Terrorists Do the Talking: Reflections on Terrorist Literature

• NCJ Number: 111293
• Author(s): B Cordes
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 38 pages
• Sale Source: Rand Corporation; National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: An earlier version of the paper was presented at the International Conference on Terrorism Research held in Aberdeen, Scotland in April 1986 and was published in 'Current Research on Terrorism' (Aberdeen University Press, 1987) edited by Paul Wilkinson, as 'Euroterrorists Talk About Themselves: A Look at the Literature.'

Annotation

This study analyzes terrorist literature written and spoken by European 'anarchic-ideologues,' left-wing groups found in Italy, West Germany, France, and Belgium, to determine how terrorists perceive themselves, their actions, and their goals.

Abstract

Because terrorists use their writings and verbal pronouncements not only to persuade others (propaganda aspect), but also to persuade themselves (auto-propaganda aspect), terrorist literature can provide valuable insights into the workings and mindset of terrorist groups. Individual terrorists are often idiosyncratic, however, and to obtain an accurate picture of a terrorist group from its writings, it is necessary to limit an examination to terrorists from a particular geographical area and with similar ideologies. In analyzing the writings of the European 'anarchic-ideologues,' the author finds five basic characteristics in the group. First, the groups share a common use of terrorist violence. Second, the groups all deny that they are terrorists. Third, all groups demonstrate a need to show themselves in a favorable light in order to attract support. Fourth, all groups show a need to rationalize and justify what they do. Fifth, the groups share a common need to feel good about themselves to maintain group cohesion. The author observes that a life of violence tends to harden and demoralize. Additionally, the reality described by terrorists appears bizarre to others, and the terrorists must continue to convince themselves and others that their distortions mirror a real world. 71 footnotes.