Here is a well comended article that people who want to know what terrorism 'means' should read.
So, may I ask again: what is the definition of terrorism?
"Deliberate violence, directed against non-combatants, intended to create a psychological impact and a general sense of fear, and perpetrated to further a political purpose or goal."
Terror is a state of fear, an overwhelming sense of imminent danger. It is often characterized by a lack of knowing what to do next.
Terror is usually described as the feeling of dread and anticipation that precedes the horrifying experience. Horror, by contrast, is the feeling of revulsion that usually occurs after something frightening is seen, heard, or otherwise experienced. It is the feeling one gets after coming to an awful realization or experiencing a hideous revelation. Horror has also been defined as a combination of terror and revulsion. The difference between Terror and Horror is the difference between awful apprehension and sickening realization: between the smell of death and stumbling against a corpse.
The English suffix -ism was first used to form a noun of action from a verb. It derives from the Greek suffix -ismos, Latin -ismus, and Old French -isme, that likewise forms abstract nouns from verbal stems. Its usage was later extended to signify larger organized systems and concepts —in belief, ideology, doctrine, and ritual practice.
The first recorded usage of the suffix 'ism' as a separate word in its own right was in 1680. By the nineteenth century it was being used by Thomas Carlyle to signify a pre-packaged ideology. Later, it was used in this sense by such writers as Julian Huxley and George Bernard Shaw. In the United States of the mid-nineteenth century, the phrase "the isms" was used as a collective derogatory term to lump together the radical social reform movements of the day and various spiritual or religious movements considered non-mainstream by the standards of the time.
The -ism suffix can be used to express the following concepts:
- doctrine or philosophy (e.g. pacifism, olympism)
- theory developed by an individual (e.g. Marxism)
- political movement (e.g. feminism)
- artistic movement (e.g. cubism)
- action, process or practice (e.g. voyeurism)
- characteristic, quality or origin (e.g. heroism)
- state or condition (e.g. pauperism)
- excess or disease (e.g. botulism)
- prejudice or bias (e.g. racism)
- characteristic speech patterns (e.g. Yogiism, Bushism)
- religion or belief system (e.g. Mormonism)
Many 'isms' are defined as an act or practice by some, while also being defined as the doctrine or philosophy behind the act or practice by others. Examples include terrorism.
Terrorism is a term used to describe violence or other harmful acts committed (or threatened) against civilians by groups or persons for political or ideological goals (fear in latin). Most definitions of terrorism include only those acts which are intended to create fear or "terror", are perpetrated for an ideological goal (as opposed to a "madman" attack), and deliberately target "non-combatants". 'The notion of terrorism is fairly straightforward — it is ideologically or politically motivated violence directed against civilian targets.'"
Key criteria:
*Violence - the only general characteristic [of terrorism] generally agreed upon is that terrorism involves violence and the threat of violence".
*Psychological impact and fear – The attack was carried out in such a way as to maximize the severity and length of the psychological impact. Each act of terrorism is a “performance,” a product of internal logic, devised to have an impact on many large audiences.
*Perpetrated for a Political Goal – Something all terrorist attacks have in common is their perpetration for a political purpose. Terrorism is a political tactic, not unlike letter writing or protesting, that is used by activists when they believe no other means will effect the kind of change they desire.
*Deliberate targeting of non-combatants – It is commonly held that the distinctive nature of terrorism lies in its intentional and specific selection of civilians as direct targets. Much of the time, the victims of terrorism are targeted not because they are threats, but because they are specific "symbols, tools, animals or corrupt beings" that tie into a specific view of the world that the terrorist possess. Their suffering accomplishes the terrorists' goals of instilling fear, getting a message out to an audience, or otherwise accomplishing their political end.
