FATALITY OF ILLUSIONS - DOMINANT IMAGES OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

• NCJ Number: 42635
• Author(s): P WILKINSON
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 34 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. PAPER PRESENTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE CONFERENCE ON INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM IN RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT, 25TH MARCH 1976

Annotation

INTERNATIONAL AND TRANSNATIONAL TERRORISM IS SEEN AS PERPETRATED BY A REVOLUTIONARY CRIMINAL ELEMENT, FUELED BY AN OBSESSIVE IDEOLOGY THAT REQUIRES DESTRUCTION OF EXISTING STRUCTURES OF CIVILIZATION.

Abstract

BELIEVING THAT TO DEAL WITH TERRORISM, ITS MENTALITY AND MOVEMENTS MUST BE UNDERSTOOD, THE AUTHOR ANALYZES THE MOTIVATIONAL SYSTEM OUT OF WHICH TERRORISTS ACT. HE SEES THE OBSESSIVE TERRORIST MOVEMENTS AS BEING INCAPABLE OF ACTING WITHIN THE HUMANE NORMS OF CIVILIZED SOCIETY. TERRORISTS ARE VIEWED AS IRREDEEMABLY VIOLENT NIHILISTS AND ANARCHISTS WHO HAVE CREATED OR ADOPTED IDEOLOGIES OF DESTRUCTION OF THE EXISTING ORDER. CONCILIATION, COMPROMISE, OR APPEAL TO HUMANE VALUES IS CONSIDERED IMPOSSIBLE IN DEALING WITH TERRORISTS. THE PRINCIPAL DANGERS OF TERRORISM ARE CONSIDERED TO BE EXPANDED USE OF MORE SOPHISTICATED WEAPONS AND INTENTIONAL OR ACCIDENTAL TRIGGERING OF AN INTERNATIONAL WAR. EFFECTIVE POLICE DETECTION, SWIFT CONVICTIONS, AND SECURE IMPRISONMENT OR EXECUTION ARE VIEWED AS THE ONLY MEANS OF CONTROLLING OR HALTING TERRORISM. CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IS RECOMMENDED FOR MURDER IN THE COURSE OF TERRORIST ACTIVITY....RCB