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Chapter One:

The Criminology and Controversyof Terrorism

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Why Definitions are Important

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Why Definitions are Important

Why do people argue about the meaningof terrorism?

Meaning changes

It is a concept

Means different things at different times

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Why Definitions are Important

Pejorative Connotation of Terrorism

Political and social degradation when labeleda terrorist

Routine crimes assume greater importancewhen described as terrorism

Political movement can be hampered when

followers believed to be terrorists

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Why Definitions are Important

Definitions of Terrorism from VariousInterest Groups

Law Enforcement

Governments

Advocating for redistribution of wealth

Pro-life/Pro-choice

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Definitions of Terrorism

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Definitions of Terrorism

Jenkins: Threat or use of force forpolitical change

Laqueur: Use of force to achieve politicalobjective; targets innocent people

Crenshaw: Cannot be defined withoutanalysis of act, target, and possibility ofsuccess

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Definitions of Terrorism

Herman: Defined in terms of staterepression

Schmid: Meaning is derived from targetsand victims of terrorists

Barnett: Terrorists do not have vestedinterest in maintaining political/economicstructures because they do not benefitfrom them

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The Meaning of the War onTerrorism

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The Meaning of the War on

Terrorism

Arguments accepting the war withterrorism:

Friedman

Blank

Cohen

Hill

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The Meaning of the War on

Terrorism

Argument that does not accept the war onterrorism:

Howardterrorism is an emergency situation

best handled by intelligence and lawenforcement services

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The Tactics of Terrorism

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The Tactics of Terrorism

Jenkins six tactics of terrorism: Bombing (most common)

Hijacking

ArsonAssault

Kidnapping

Hostage Taking

Weapons of mass destruction?

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Tactics of Terrorism

Four Force Multipliers:

Technology

Transnational support networks

Media coverage

Religious fanaticism

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How Terrorist Groups Justify

Behavior

Justification for violence

Consumed with the cause

Reasons potential terrorists join groups:

Sympathy for the cause

Social misfits

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How Terrorist Groups Justify

Behavior

Posts Motivational Theories

No single terrorist personality

Social outcasts who fall in with like-mindedindividuals

Us against them mentality

Antisocial behavior rewarded and reinforced

within this group Rejection of external authority; acceptance of

internal authority

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How Terrorists Groups Justify

Behavior

Sterns View on Group Cohesion:

Us against them mentality against commonenemy

Group must have a story/mythology to inspireand guide members

Group needs own language or symbolic words

to demonize enemy

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How Terrorist Groups Justify

Behavior

Berlet and Lyons:

Groups look for conspiracies and thenscapegoat a group for the conspiracy

Demonize scapegoats as primary cause ofinjustice

Leaders inspire members to action and search

to demonize more enemies

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Warrior Dreams

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Warrior Dreams

Warrior Culture

Warriors = social outcasts whose lives centeron violence; lone wolf

Identity crisis of extreme conservativesfollowing Vietnam War

Culture values guns and violent confrontations

Paramilitary culture/lifestyle: war games,paramilitary religion, war films/books,extremists

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Warrior Dreams

Targets of the warrior:

Enemy lacks all standards of human decencywhose goal is to destroy American society and

culture Communist

Dope dealer

Mafioso

Academic

Liberal

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Warrior Dreams

Lone warrior

SWAT, commando units reflect organizedmilitary values, so warrior rejects them

At war with status quo

Justifies actions of militias, New Order, neo-Nazis

Provides formula for justifying terrorism

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Terrorist Profiles: Three Views

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Terrorist Profiles: Three Views

Hacker one of first criminal profilers

Hackers three types of terrorists:

Criminals

Join terrorist groups for payoff or vengeance

Crazies

Join terrorist groups for thrills of lifestyle

Crusaders People who believe deeply in a cause

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Terrorist Profiles: Three Views

Laqueurs Views of Terrorist Profiling:

No terrorist profile possible due to differenttypes of terrorism

Terrorism fluctuates over time

Some group characteristics can be determinedthrough type of terrorist movement

Impossible to profile terrorist personalitybecause terrorism is a political activity ratherthan a subject of criminology

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Terrorist Profiles: Three Views

Ross alternative view:Social/psychological processes rather thanprofiles

Joining the group

Forming the activity

Remaining in the campaign

Leading the organization

Engaging in acts of terrorism