One Mans Freedom Fighter, Another Mans Terrorist
Historical Inquiry - Terrorism
Abstract
What defines terrorism or freedom fighting depends upon a number of factors. Motivation as a factor in defining terrorism or freedom fighting is particularly significant as it forms the basis of Macquarie’s dictionary definition, “someone who joins in organised resistance usually armed against the established government, or the domination of his or her country by a foreign power” . Therefore it can be stated that a freedom fighters goal is to liberate oppressed people from foreign powers. Where as the motivation of terrorists might also stem from a want of freedom but also has its foundations in other sources, such as religious conflict, more personal motivators such as anger, frustration, hatred or more minor goals such as freeing of fellow terrorists .
The U.S. Department of State defines "terrorism" as "premeditated politically-motivated violence perpetrated against non-combatant targets by sub-national groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience” . The US also furthers this definition by defining the “influence” it will have upon the “audience”, “it is intended to coerce or to intimidate governments [the audience] or societies in the pursuit of goals that are generally political, religious or ideological” . These two definitions are firmly characterized by the idea that the tactic of attacking civilian, non-combatants plays a role in defining terrorism. The random nature of civilian attacks heightens the terrorist’s ability to induce terror as it develops the perception that every individual is vulnerable . Where as a freedom fighter generally targets opponent’s armed forces to ultimately destroy the enemy military resources to transfer the military power in favour of the freedom fighters.
The legitimacy of the actions undertaken by a group can be used to distinguish whether or not each group is a terrorist group or consists of freedom fighters. But this notion of legitimacy is
Abstract
What defines terrorism or freedom fighting depends upon a number of factors. Motivation as a factor in defining terrorism or freedom fighting is particularly significant as it forms the basis of Macquarie’s dictionary definition, “someone who joins in organised resistance usually armed against the established government, or the domination of his or her country by a foreign power” . Therefore it can be stated that a freedom fighters goal is to liberate oppressed people from foreign powers. Where as the motivation of terrorists might also stem from a want of freedom but also has its foundations in other sources, such as religious conflict, more personal motivators such as anger, frustration, hatred or more minor goals such as freeing of fellow terrorists .
The U.S. Department of State defines "terrorism" as "premeditated politically-motivated violence perpetrated against non-combatant targets by sub-national groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience” . The US also furthers this definition by defining the “influence” it will have upon the “audience”, “it is intended to coerce or to intimidate governments [the audience] or societies in the pursuit of goals that are generally political, religious or ideological” . These two definitions are firmly characterized by the idea that the tactic of attacking civilian, non-combatants plays a role in defining terrorism. The random nature of civilian attacks heightens the terrorist’s ability to induce terror as it develops the perception that every individual is vulnerable . Where as a freedom fighter generally targets opponent’s armed forces to ultimately destroy the enemy military resources to transfer the military power in favour of the freedom fighters.
The legitimacy of the actions undertaken by a group can be used to distinguish whether or not each group is a terrorist group or consists of freedom fighters. But this notion of legitimacy is
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