Terrorism Essay, Research Paper
Above the gates of hell is the warning that all that enter should abandon hope.?Less dire but to the same effect is the warning given to those who try to define?terrorism. “It can be predicted with confidence that the disputes about a?detailed, comprehensive definition of terrorism will continue for a long time,?that they will not result in a consensus, and that they will make no noticeable?contribution towards the understanding of terrorism.” The author of this?warning, undeterred by it, goes on to discuss the definition of terrorism at?length.1 In doing so, he follows an honored tradition. Every consideration of?terrorism begins by discussing its definition and apologizing for doing so. The?discussion arises from the commendable urge to know what we are talking?about, the apology from the reasonable expectation that the complexity of the?subject will defeat our efforts. Discouraged from defining terrorism by its?complexity, we are urged by its monstrous character to get on with the job of?combating it, whether we understand it fully or not, leaving the niceties of?definition for a quieter time. This may particularly be the prejudice of so-called?men of action. But we cannot take their advice, for, as we have just noted, how?we define terrorism will determine how we combat it. Giving in to the urge to?combat terrorism before trying to understand or define it, then, may give us?some satisfaction in the short term, but only at the expense of frustration later?on. With terrorism, as with everything else, acting before understanding is?never practical. Without apology, then, we must consider what terrorism is.?This task is made less daunting by our practical purpose and our focus on the?U.S. government. We want to understand what terrorism is not to develop a?perfect definition but to gain the clarity necessary for effective action, a
Bibliography
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