Assignment 1

Assignment #1

Brandi Ingram

Dr. Singh

International Terrorism

Grambling State University

07/04/2022

Why is Terrorism Difficult to Define?

The word terrorism can be a word of many definitions. It is considered hard to define because “it is defined by different people within vacillating social and political realities,” this can be described as a social construct. The word terrorism suggests a variety of politically charged responses. The word has different meanings in different periods of time, it also has different meanings in different contexts within the same period of time.

Importance of Defining Terrorism

When the term terrorism was first introduced in Western History, governments adjusted their policies based on the way they defined terrorism. It described the actions of the new government in the French Revolution. The meaning shifted away from governmental repression to the resistance of some people to governments.

Differences Between Terrorists and Ordinary Criminals

Terrorists commit crimes a they struggle for a cause, focus their actions toward a goal, are dedicated to a cause, rarely cooperate with officials because they do not wish to betray their cause, tend to attack, strike against targets after careful planning, and prepare for and rehearse their operations.

Criminals are unfocused, are not devoted to crime as a philosophy, will make deals to avoid punishment, usually run when confronted with force, strike when the opportunity to do so is present, and rarely train for the crime.

Three Types of Terrorism

Terrorsim can be broken down into three parts: Lone-Wolf, Small Group, and Large Groups.

Define Lone Wolf Terrorism

Lone wolf terrorism can be defined as a person who has a particular ideology but isn’t part of a group; has to find some type of justification for his or her actions, and religion provides the perfect path. They have special, narcissistic relationships with their deities. Create a God in their own image, become ultimate loners, and most difficult type of terrorist to deter or detain.

Terrorist Financing and Money Laundering

Hawala System

The Hawala System was when Caravan leaders would visit merchants and pay for goods with a promissory note. When the Caravan would reach its destination, the leader sold goods and the distributors would pay the caravan leader with a promissory note, the leader would then return home, present the note and the local chit dealer paid the debt.