Chapter One: The Criminology and Controversy of Terrorism

Why Definitions are Important

Why Definitions are Important

Why do people argue about the meaning of terrorism?

Meaning changes It is a concept Means different things at different times

Why Definitions are Important

Pejorative Connotation of Terrorism

Political and social degradation when labeled a terrorist Routine crimes assume greater importance when described as terrorism Political movement can be hampered when followers believed to be terrorists

Why Definitions are Important

Definitions of Terrorism from Various Interest Groups

Law Enforcement Governments Advocating for redistribution of wealth Pro-life/Pro-choice

Definitions of Terrorism

Definitions of Terrorism

Jenkins: Threat or use of force for political change Laqueur: Use of force to achieve political objective; targets innocent people Crenshaw: Cannot be defined without analysis of act, target, and possibility of success

Definitions of Terrorism

Herman: Defined in terms of state repression Schmid: Meaning is derived from targets and victims of terrorists Barnett: Terrorists do not have vested interest in maintaining political/economic structures because they do not benefit from them

The Meaning of the War on Terrorism

The Meaning of the War on Terrorism

Arguments accepting the war with terrorism:

Friedman Blank Cohen Hill

The Meaning of the War on Terrorism

Argument that does not accept the war on terrorism:

Howardterrorism is an emergency situation best handled by intelligence and law enforcement services

The Tactics of Terrorism

The Tactics of Terrorism

Jenkins six tactics of terrorism:

Bombing (most common) Hijacking Arson Assault Kidnapping Hostage Taking

Weapons of mass destruction?

Tactics of Terrorism

Four Force Multipliers:

Technology Transnational support networks Media coverage Religious fanaticism

How Terrorists Groups Justify Behavior

How Terrorist Groups Justify Behavior

Justification for violence

Consumed with the cause

Reasons potential terrorists join groups:

Sympathy for the cause Social misfits

How Terrorist Groups Justify Behavior

Posts Motivational Theories

No single terrorist personality Social outcasts who fall in with like-minded individuals Us against them mentality Antisocial behavior rewarded and reinforced within this group Rejection of external authority; acceptance of internal authority

How Terrorists Groups Justify Behavior

Sterns View on Group Cohesion:

Us against them mentality against common enemy Group must have a story/mythology to inspire and guide members Group needs own language or symbolic words to demonize enemy

How Terrorist Groups Justify Behavior

Berlet and Lyons:

Groups look for conspiracies and then scapegoat a group for the conspiracy Demonize scapegoats as primary cause of injustice Leaders inspire members to action and search to demonize more enemies

Warrior Dreams

Warrior Dreams

Warrior Culture

Warriors = social outcasts whose lives center on violence; lone wolf Identity crisis of extreme conservatives following Vietnam War Culture values guns and violent confrontations Paramilitary culture/lifestyle: war games, paramilitary religion, war films/books, extremists

Warrior Dreams

Targets of the warrior:

Enemy lacks all standards of human decency whose goal is to destroy American society and culture
Communist Dope dealer Mafioso Academic Liberal

Warrior Dreams

Lone warrior

SWAT, commando units reflect organized military values, so warrior rejects them At war with status quo Justifies actions of militias, New Order, neoNazis Provides formula for justifying terrorism

Terrorist Profiles: Three Views

Terrorist Profiles: Three Views

Hacker one of first criminal profilers Hackers three types of terrorists:

Criminals

Join terrorist groups for payoff or vengeance Join terrorist groups for thrills of lifestyle People who believe deeply in a cause

Crazies

Crusaders

Terrorist Profiles: Three Views

Laqueurs Views of Terrorist Profiling:

No terrorist profile possible due to different types of terrorism Terrorism fluctuates over time Some group characteristics can be determined through type of terrorist movement Impossible to profile terrorist personality because terrorism is a political activity rather than a subject of criminology

Terrorist Profiles: Three Views

Ross alternative view: Social/psychological processes rather than profiles

Joining the group Forming the activity Remaining in the campaign Leading the organization Engaging in acts of terrorism