Rethinking Terrorism Summary
In this paper, I will critically review chapter eight of Colin Wight’s book “Rethinking Terrorism: Terrorism, Violence and the State” (2015, 193-220)." Terrorism has been a long discussed topic among many ‘superpower’ nations. Throughout the past decade, acts of terrorism have placed staggering impacts on the rights, freedom and safety of many countries. Terrorism is ‘…the emergent structural consequence of the way human societies organizes their political relationships’ (Wight 2015). Wight highlights several key factors encouraging terrorism such as political groups, religious groups. Colin frequently dissects and focuses on Islamic religious beliefs as being the main accelerant for terrorist attacks against non-state actors. Rethinking Terrorism,
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…the right to rule is historically embedded within a political configuration founded on violence … objecting to the prevailing order may feel that it is legitimate to use violence against this order.’
Using this quote Colin carefully helps us understand how politics can play a role in the influences of terrorism. Terrorism then becomes a product of structural politics and will occur historically whenever rules emerge. (Onuf 1989)
‘Rethinking Terrorism’ by Colin discusses religion as a motive for terrorism as ‘if you do not fight in God’s way you’re a disbeliever therefore God gives believers the right to fight’ (Wight 2015, 196) According to the Qur’an anyone who does not follow their religious beliefs are subjected to be attacked by terrorist. Mohammed M. Hafez (2007) states in his writing ‘Since God is the only law-giver who can decide between right and wrong, altering, ignoring or changing God’s word is a direct violation of God’s sovereignty’. Here in this quote we notice the idea that anyone who disobeys or does not follow their ‘belief’ is considered violating their set of rules this could possibly play a role in the motivation for terrorism. This theory has also been challenged by Scott Atran, he states ‘religion is actually a minor role in the motivations of terrorism’. (Coyne 2015) Here we are faced with two different opinions concerning the influence of religion on terrorism need to carefully evaluate Colin and Scott’s reasons why they do or do not believe in religion being a major role in
…the right to rule is historically embedded within a political configuration founded on violence … objecting to the prevailing order may feel that it is legitimate to use violence against this order.’
Using this quote Colin carefully helps us understand how politics can play a role in the influences of terrorism. Terrorism then becomes a product of structural politics and will occur historically whenever rules emerge. (Onuf 1989)
‘Rethinking Terrorism’ by Colin discusses religion as a motive for terrorism as ‘if you do not fight in God’s way you’re a disbeliever therefore God gives believers the right to fight’ (Wight 2015, 196) According to the Qur’an anyone who does not follow their religious beliefs are subjected to be attacked by terrorist. Mohammed M. Hafez (2007) states in his writing ‘Since God is the only law-giver who can decide between right and wrong, altering, ignoring or changing God’s word is a direct violation of God’s sovereignty’. Here in this quote we notice the idea that anyone who disobeys or does not follow their ‘belief’ is considered violating their set of rules this could possibly play a role in the motivation for terrorism. This theory has also been challenged by Scott Atran, he states ‘religion is actually a minor role in the motivations of terrorism’. (Coyne 2015) Here we are faced with two different opinions concerning the influence of religion on terrorism need to carefully evaluate Colin and Scott’s reasons why they do or do not believe in religion being a major role in