Of course, a terrorist can aim to intimidate a whole group by causing or threatening. Terrorism definition and meaning collins english dictionary. The damage would be highly visible, would kill many people, would destroy costly property and would interrupt trade. See the list below for various definitions of terrorism and take note of not only the inclusions, but also the possible exclusions within each definition. The definition for international terrorism is basically the same, except that it involves activities outside the territorial jurisdiction of the u. Readers debate what is, or isnt, terrorism the new york. After 1015 minutes, ask the groups to present their proposals. The use or attempted use of sabotage, coercion or violence which is intended to cause great bodily harm or death to the general. Why the fbi isnt calling san bernardino terrorism the. Dec 03, 2015 the definition for international terrorism is basically the same, except that it involves activities outside the territorial jurisdiction of the u. The definition s of terrorism in international law 15 element proper, that is, a dolus specialis. This major new handbook synthesises more than two decades of scholarly research, and provides a comprehensive overview of the field of terrorism studies.
Using the definition preferred by the state department, terrorism is. Terrorism is, in the broadest sense, the use of intentional violence for political or religious purposes. Under section 2 of the homeland security act of 2002. The first attacker detonated his bomb on the second floor of the. Regardless, nevada law has a clear definition of terrorism. It is for this reason that a comparison is necessary to clarify the scope ofthe operation of. Nov 01, 2017 terrorism by definition requires political or religious motivation. Heisbourg in le monde, september 2001, and the title of his book. The definition of terrorist act 307 the definition of terrorist act in part 5. International terrorism violent, criminal acts committed by individuals andor groups who are inspired by, or associated with, designated foreign terrorist. Terrorism definition is the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion.
Oct 06, 2017 the las vegas shooting is terrorism, gq declared, pointing out, correctly, that the actions of the gunman fit within the state of nevadas legal definition of terrorism. The content of the handbook is based on the responses to a questionnaire by nearly 100 experts from more than 20 countries as well as the specific expertise and experience of the volume editor and the various contributors. Risk and liability, says cruise ships and ferry lines need more protection against terrorism attacks because they meet terrorists prerequisites for an attack. Terrorist definition for englishlanguage learners from. The definition of terrorism presented to parliament by the secretary of state for the home department, by command of her majesty june 2007 cm 7058. The suspect published posts and pictures on social networks glorifying terrorism and the terrorist organization daesh and encouraging terrorism. They may be done for a religious, political, or ideological goal, and uses illegal violence. Terrorism by definition requires political or religious motivation. Apr 08, 2014 department of homeland security dhs definition of terrorism.
Information and translations of terrorism in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Given the complexity of terrorism, solutions based on single factors are destined to fail. Code as politically motivated violence perpetrated in a clandestine manner against noncombatants. Why soft target terrorist attacks will remain a threat. Terrorism has come to signify race and religion though everyone is careful not to say so. Ali khan terrorism sprouts from the existence of aggrieved groups. Readers debate what is, or isnt, terrorism the new york times.
The unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property in order to coerce or intimidate a government or the civilian population in furtherance of political o. Terrorism simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives. Oct 04, 2017 regardless, nevada law has a clear definition of terrorism. Information and translations of international terrorism in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. It is used in this regard primarily to refer to violence during peacetime or in the context of war against noncombatants mostly civilians and neutral military personnel. Cyber terrorism can be also defined as the intentional use of computer, networks, and. Notice, for instance, the specificity of the language within each u. Department of homeland security dhs definition of terrorism. The united states department of state defines terrorism as the term terrorism means premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by sub national groups or clandestine agents. The foundation of modern terrorism is the work of sergey nechayev, a russian radical who developed strategies for carrying. Common definitions of terrorism refer to violent acts which are intended to create fear terror. Analysing terrorism from a systems thinking perspective. Terrorism definition of terrorism by merriamwebster.
The terms terrorist and terrorism originated during the french revolution of the late 18th century but gained. Definition an anarchist who immigrated from germany to the united states in 1882 after serving jail time in london for praising the assassination of the russian czar. This article is concerned primarily with the former. Ask participants to go back into groups to formulate their own definition of terrorism, according to the decisions they made earlier or any considerations introduced by the discussions. Many different types of social or political organizations might use terrorism to try to achieve their goals. Definition of international terrorism in the definitions. Terrorism has no official criminal law definition at the international level.
Dec 30, 2015 terrorism is the use of violence against civilians in order to advance a political goal, or heaven forbid, to stage a coup. On june 28, 2016, a team of three suicide operatives arrived in a taxi at istanbuls ataturk international airport dressed in heavy jackets concealing suicide vests and carrying bags with ak47 assault rifles. It is for this reason that a comparison is necessary to clarify the scope ofthe operation of the terrorism risk insurance programmes. Terrorism definition, the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes. Terrorism is the use of violence against civilians in order to advance a political goal, or heaven forbid, to stage a coup. Terrorist organization definition of terrorist organization. The vegas shooter did not have those motivations so he is a mass murderer. Terrorism is the use of fear and acts of violence in order to intimidate societies, governments or against an ideology. Experts on terrorism also include another aspect in the definition. From longman dictionary of contemporary english related topics.
The use of violence or the threat of violence, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political goals. May 07, 2001 interestingly, the american definition of terrorism is a reversal of the words original meaning, given in the oxford english dictionary as government by intimidation. The language of terrorism is failing us the ringer. Definition of terrorist written for english language learners from the merriamwebster learners dictionary with audio pronunciations, usage examples, and countnoncount noun labels. The definition of terrorism world news the guardian. Terrorism is the use of violence, especially murder and bombing, in order to achieve. Search the meaning and definition of over one hundred thousand words. Systems thinking offers various tools for helping researchers and policy makers comprehend terrorism in its entirety. The unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property in order to coerce or intimidate a government or the civilian population in furtherance of political or social objectives. The government reply to the report by lord carlile of berriew q. Nov 27, 2003 terrorism is defined by title 22 of the u. The las vegas shooting is terrorism, gq declared, pointing out, correctly, that the actions of the gunman fit within the state of nevadas legal definition of terrorism. Criminal and violent acts committed by a section of the people against the society, humanity and the government to get their demands accepted or work done is known as terrorism. In other words, terrorism takes place when some section the people adopts violent means to change the.
Brian whitaker, the definition of terrorism, the guardian. There have been some definitional differences in the use of the terms terrorism and act of terrorism between oecd countries. This article tries to describe the main definitions of terrorism under international law. D2 the deliberate use of violence, or threat of its use, against innocent people with the aim of intimidating other people into a course of action they otherwise would not take. Terrorism definition of terrorism by the free dictionary. First us national to provide philosophical rational for terrorism. Army manual definition terrorism is the calculated use of unlawful violence or threat of unlawful. Pdf the definitions of terrorism in international law.