NCJ Number
19510
Date Published
Unknown
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE DEFINES 'TERRORISM,' REVIEWS ITS OBJECTIVES, DISCUSSES THE REASONS FOR PROVEN SUCCESS, AND IDENTIFIES POSSIBLE FUTURE TRENDS.
Abstract
'TERRORISM' IS DEFINED AS VIOLENCE DIRECTED TOWARD POLITICAL ENDS DESIGNED TO CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE OF FEAR AND ALARM. THE AUTHOR SUGGESTS THAT IT HAS PROVEN SUCCESSFUL IN SEVERAL RESPECTS - AS AN EFFECTIVE MEANS OF PROPAGANDA, IN CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DISRUPTION AND DIVERSION OF RESOURCES TO SECURITY MEASURES AGAINST TERRORISTS, AND AS A MEANS OF ATTACKING EXISTING SOCIAL AND LEGAL ORDER. THREE POSSIBLE FUTURE TRENDS ARE DISCUSSED: THE GROWTH OF ALLIANCES BETWEEN TERRORIST GROUPS IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD; THE OCCURRENCE OF MORE SPECTACULAR AND DESTRUCTIVE ACTS, AND THE USE OF TERRORIST TACTICS BY NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS AS A MEANS OF SURROGATE WARFARE AGAINST ANOTHER NATION.