HLSC 610 DB 2Forum 2: Terrorism
Defining Terrorism
Of the many definitions of terrorism, the one that stands out is that of the United States Department of
Defense (DOD). The DOD defines terrorism as “The unlawful use of violence or threat of violence, often
motivated by religious, political, or other ideological beliefs, to instill fear and coerce governments or
societies in pursuit of goals that are usually political” (Joint Chiefs of Staff 2020, p.215). This definition
fits best because it captures the element of fear, which terrorists often use as a weapon system in pursuit
of their goals. In some cases, fear might be their specific end state, but in many cases terrorists seek to
induce fear into a population as a means to achieving a larger end. The DOD definition also mentions
the legal aspect of terrorism. As terrorist attacks often have no regard for their victims, and their means
are not directly proportional to their desired ends, they are usually in violation of the Law of Armed
Conflict. These two hallmarks of terrorism, fear and illegality, are both captured by the DOD.
Types of Terrorism
There are also many types of terrorism, which contributes to the difficulty in defining it as a concept.
McEntire (2019, p.36) discusses five types of terrorism: mass terror, dynastic assassination, random
terror, focused terror, and tactical terror. This typology works well because it addresses the actors
involved in terrorism, the targets or victims of attacks, and the purposes of attacks. Each type is broad
enough to encompass the many nuances of terrorism while still creating a unique category by which
specific terrorist attacks can be compared. This typology also fits with the DOD definition of terrorism,
as each of the five types defined by McEntire would meet the DOD’s criteria.
Causes of Terrorism
If there are more than 100 definitions of terrorism, then there are exponentially more causes. Each
individual terrorist has their own reason why they commit their acts. As discussed above, each type of
terrorism has generally different motives, means, and ends. This individuality occurs within each type as
well, as every specific act of terrorism is different from the next. Some of these causes are outlined
overtly by terrorists like Osama bin Laden, who listed specific reasons why his followers should attack
Americans worldwide (McEntire 2019, p. 50). Others might not be initially apparent, unless terrorist
organizations claim credit as a means to further their message. One common theme, however, is the
asymmetric aspect of terrorism. What causes terrorism, at partially in many cases, is the inability of an
individual or group to achieve their ends through other means. If a terrorist were able to, for example,
achieve a political goal through legitimate processes (or at least perceived that they were able to), then
they would not likely resort to terrorism. This is supported by the DOD definition, because terrorists
resort to illegal methods. If they had legitimate and legal courses of action, they likely would not have to
use terror. Terrorists may also feel that they represent David in the story of David and Goliath, and that
they are justified in their pursuit of whatever end motivates them. They may feel that in their acts they
have “triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone” and feel as though “without a sword in his
hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him” (1 Samuel 17:50, NIV). This feeling of righteousness
furthers their belief that they are justified, despite the illegality of their actions.
References
Joint Chiefs of Staff. (2020). DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. Accessed November 2,
2020. https://www.jcs.mil/Portals/36/Documents/Doctrine/pubs/dictionary.pdf.
McEntire, D.A. (2019). Introduction to Homeland Security: Understanding Terrorism Prevention and
Emergency Management. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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