NCJ Number
62768
Journal
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY Volume: 2 Issue: 2 Dated: (FALL 1977) Pages: 56-67
Date Published
1977
Length
12 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE DESCRIBES THE CONFRONTATION BETWEEN DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS AND ARMED ORGANIZATIONS WHICH SEEK TO REACH POLITICAL GOALS THROUGH VIOLENCE AND VIOLENCE-INSPIRED TERROR.
Abstract
SUPPORTERS OF THE DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM SEE EFFECTIVE GUARANTEES OF LIBERTY IN THE ELECTORATE'S CAPACITY TO PERIODICALLY CHANGE ITS RULERS, IN THE NECESSITY FOR RULERS TO PLEASE THE MAJORITY OF THOSE RULED, AND IN THE CONSTRAINTS OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM. TERRORISTS, HOWEVER, OFFER MILLENARIAN OR SECESSIONIST/IRREDENTIST VERSIONS OF LIBERTY. THE MILLENARIANS, WHO INCLUDE THE SYMBIONESE LIBERATION ARMY AND WEATHERMEN IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE BAADER-MEINHOF GROUP IN GERMANY, BELIEVE THAT THE EXISTING SOCIAL STRUCTURE MUST BE DESTROYED AND THAT A NEW AND IDEAL SOCIAL FORM WILL REPLACE IT. THE SECESSIONISTS/IRREDENTISTS, WHO INCLUDE VARIOUS ARAB GROUPS AND THE PROVISIONAL IRISH ARMY HAVE MORE ATTAINABLE VERSIONS OF LIBERTY--THE TRANSFER OF TERRITORY OF WITHDRAWAL OF PARTICULAR FORCES--BUT MAY STIMULATE ADDITIONAL COUNTER-VIOLENCE FROM OTHER CLAIMANTS OR MAY INSIST ON UNREAL AND UNATTAINABLE GOALS. ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO CERTAIN WAY OF ENDING TERRORISM, THERE ARE MORE HOPEFUL WAYS OF SEEKING TO END IT. CITIZENS CAN REFUSE TO TALK WITH TERRORISTS OR PUBLICIZE THEIR ACTIVITIES, REFUSE TO BE IMPRESSED OR DIVERTED BY PROPAGANDA CAMPAIGNS, AND SUPPORT UNREMITTING PRESSURE BY SECURITY FORCES. MOREOVER, CITIZENS SHOULD AVOID SENTIMENTALIZING THE TERRORISTS, SEEING THEM AS DEDICATED PERSONS OR 'MISGUIDED IDEALISTS.' THE SENSE OF GUILT IN DEMOCRATIC SOCIETIES ONLY ENCOURAGES TERRORIST ACTIVITIES AND IS OFTEN ACCOMPANIED BY A TENDENCY TOWARD 'UNILATERAL LIBERALISM' OR A KIND OF LIBERALISM WHICH IS SENSITIVE ONLY TO THREATS TO LIBERTY EMERGING FROM THE DEMOCRATIC STATE AND NOT FROM THE ENEMIES OF THAT STATE. NO REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (AOP)