Prof Lawrence ETIM
Two days ago, I shared the understated poser on Facebook and on selected WhatsApp groups:
MORE AXIOMATIC FACTS
“Most if not all terrorist groups are from Muslim countries.”
The poser attracted several comments leading to the need to define what terrorism is.
Below, I give a conspectus sampling of various definitions of terrorism as put forward by several reputable sources.
Stochastically, I am presenting definitions from 9 different reputable sources
SUMMARY
In case your are unable to read to the end, the key points are
a) violence must be used to instill fear (terror) in the public or segment(s) thereof
b) such violence must be caused by non state actors. But a government could be accused of “state terrorism” if it directs any violence at its citizens.
c) violence by non state actors should be directed at civilians or non combatants
d) civilians are targeted to send a message to government or other authorities. So, the violence is not just about the immediate victims.
e) the aim is political, ideological, religious, social, etc.
f) It is mistaken to believe that political reason is the only motivation for terrorism. This misguided motion stems from the earlier definition of “political” which were either narrow or misunderstood.
g) It’s difficult to have a universally accepted definition of terrorism.
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ENGLISH DICTIONARY
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(NOTE: The name of this dictionary is “ENGLISH”. It’s one of the best, I can attest to that)
Terrorism (uncountable)
1. (historical) The system of fear and intimidation put into place during the Reign of Terror in Revolutionary France around 1793-94.
2. The use of unlawful violence against people or property to achieve political objectives.
1. (by extension) The use of
intimidation or bullying tactics.
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MERRIAM WEBSTER DICTIONARY
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the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion
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OXFORD ENGLISH DICTIONARY
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[mass noun] the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims:
the fight against terrorism
international terrorism.
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DeepSeek – Asked to define terrorism
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(Excerpts)
“Premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against non-combatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience.”
Let’s break down the key components of this definition:
1. Premeditated:
The act is planned and deliberate, not a spontaneous outburst of violence.
2. Politically Motivated:
The ultimate goal is political change, such as overthrowing a government, influencing policy, or achieving ideological aims (religious, social, or economic goals are often included under this broad umbrella of “political”).
This breakdown continues upto number 6; after, it explains why it is difficult to have a consensus definition
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Chatgpt (asked to define terrorism
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Terrorism is the deliberate use of violence or threat of violence against civilians or non-combatants, carried out to create fear and to achieve political, ideological, religious, or social objectives.
Key Elements of Terrorism
For an act to qualify as terrorism, it usually contains most or all of the following components:
Intentional violence or threat of violence
This may include bombings, shootings, kidnappings, or other acts meant to cause harm.
Targeting of civilians or non-combatants
The victims are often ordinary people rather than armed military forces engaged in battle.
Psychological impact beyond the immediate victims
The goal is not merely to harm individuals but to spread fear within a wider population.
Political, ideological, or religious motive
Terrorism is fundamentally goal-oriented. It is not random criminal violence; it seeks to influence governments, policies, or societal behavior.
Academic and Legal Perspectives
Different institutions define terrorism with slight variations:
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United Nations
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The United Nations generally describes terrorism as criminal acts intended to provoke a state of terror in the public for political purposes.
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FBI
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The Federal Bureau of Investigation defines terrorism as the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government or civilian population in furtherance of political or social objectives.
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META AI (WhatsApp AI)
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Basically, it’s about using extreme violence to scare people into giving in to demands, usually for political or ideological reasons. Many countries have their own legal definitions, like the U.S. Code, which specifies acts intended to intimidate a civilian population, influence government policy, or affect government conduct through mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping.
-Violence or Threat of Violence:
At its core, terrorism involves using or threatening to use violence. This can range from bombings and shootings
– Political, Ideological, or Religious Motivation:
Unlike other forms of violence, terrorism is almost always driven by a specific purpose — whether it’s political, religious, or ideological. The goal is to achieve some kind of change or objective.
– Instilling Fear and Coercion:
The violence isn’t just about the immediate victims; it’s designed to create widespread fear and terror among a broader audience (like a civilian population or government) to coerce them into a specific action or policy.
– Targeting Non-Combatants:
Terrorist acts often intentionally target civilians or non-combatants, which distinguishes it from conventional warfare.
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Gemini (Google AI)
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Terrorism is the calculated use of violence or threat of violence to instill fear, coerced governments, or intimidate societies to achieve political, religious, or ideological goals. It involves unlawful acts against civilians, non-combatants, or infrastructure, often aiming to influence an audience beyond the immediate victims.
Wikipedia +4
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CONCLUSION
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Despite variations, the core idea remains consistent:
Terrorism is violence used as a strategic tool to instill fear and compel political or ideological change.
Prof ETIM is a fishery scientist
