What is terrorism? What is terrorism? What are the social and political effects of terrorism? What are the social and political effects of terrorism? Why do non-state groups choose terrorism as a form of political action? Why do non-state groups choose terrorism as a form of political action? Why do states use terrorism? Why do states use terrorism?

Definitions: What is terrorism? Definitions: What is terrorism? Non-state terrorist groups and their aims Non-state terrorist groups and their aims Who gets labelled a terrorist? Who doesn’t? Who gets labelled a terrorist? Who doesn’t? The efficacy of terrorism The efficacy of terrorism State-sponsored terrorism State-sponsored terrorism

“The state is an entity which claims a monopoly on the legitimate use of violence.” (Max Weber) “The state is an entity which claims a monopoly on the legitimate use of violence.” (Max Weber)

Rejects the notion that only states can legitimately use violence. Rejects the notion that only states can legitimately use violence. Is the use of violence to achieve political objectives Is the use of violence to achieve political objectives Different from other forms of violence because it’s never aimed just at the people it harms Different from other forms of violence because it’s never aimed just at the people it harms Designed to have far-reaching psychological effects Designed to have far-reaching psychological effects

Terrorist attacks are designed to gain maximum publicity. Terrorist attacks are designed to gain maximum publicity. Media coverage amplifies psychological effect. Media coverage amplifies psychological effect.

Targets are often symbolic or iconic: the goal is to gain attention for a cause and destroy what the target stands for, not to eliminate the object itself. Targets are often symbolic or iconic: the goal is to gain attention for a cause and destroy what the target stands for, not to eliminate the object itself. Example: The Pentagon Example: The Pentagon

Terrorism is often a tool of non- state groups who do not control armies or vast armories. It is cost-effective violence for small groups. Sendoro Luminoso

FARC: Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia

Al-Qaeda Al-Qaeda Hamas Hamas Hezbollah Hezbollah Islamic ETA ETA Red Brigades Red Brigades FARC FARC Shining Path Shining Path KKK KKK Weather Underground Weather Underground

Often formed in refugee camps Often formed in refugee camps Can be organized around religion or political ideology (eg Marxism, nationalism) Can be organized around religion or political ideology (eg Marxism, nationalism) Soldier in a FARC poppy field

Terrorism is a technique, not a property intrinsic to groups. Terrorism is a technique, not a property intrinsic to groups. The label “terrorist” is meant to label some people’s use of violence illegitimate (while others’ use of violence is made legitimate.) The label “terrorist” is meant to label some people’s use of violence illegitimate (while others’ use of violence is made legitimate.) States often label non-state groups terrorists, while claiming their own violent action is an acceptable use of force. States often label non-state groups terrorists, while claiming their own violent action is an acceptable use of force. The label itself is a political tool. The label itself is a political tool.

US has put Hamas on official list of terrorist groups. US has put Hamas on official list of terrorist groups. Hamas is now the democratically elected government of the Gaza Strip. Hamas is now the democratically elected government of the Gaza Strip. Should the US be willing to have diplomatic relations? Should the US be willing to have diplomatic relations? Hamas Controversy

British soldiers in AfghanistanBritish soldiers in Afghanistan

Can create chaos and discord in society Can create chaos and discord in society Can weaken political institutions Can weaken political institutions Can force the state to incur huge costs to prevent terrorism Can force the state to incur huge costs to prevent terrorism Police Police Intelligence Intelligence Disaster preparedness Disaster preparedness US wars in Afghanistan and Iraq=$4 trillion US wars in Afghanistan and Iraq=$4 trillion

Often creates citizen support for the state Often creates citizen support for the state Can strengthen the resolve of target governments Can strengthen the resolve of target governments Fosters a powerful backlash against the non-state group Fosters a powerful backlash against the non-state group Arab Spring and the irrelevance of al- Qaeda. Arab Spring and the irrelevance of al- Qaeda.

The attempt by a state to use violence against civilians to win political conflict with non-state groups. The attempt by a state to use violence against civilians to win political conflict with non-state groups. Practiced byauthoritarian states and in breakaway regions. Practiced byauthoritarian states and in breakaway regions. Can be state-sponsored terrorism against third countries Can be state-sponsored terrorism against third countries Example: Libya and the Lockerbie bombing Example: Libya and the Lockerbie bombing

1700s—absorbed into Russian empire 1700s—absorbed into Russian empire 1930s—Stalinist purges kill many 1930s—Stalinist purges kill many 1944—entire Chechen population deported 1944—entire Chechen population deported 1957—allowed to return 1957—allowed to return 1992—Chechen declaration of independence 1992—Chechen declaration of independence 1994 and 1999—Chechen wars 1994 and 1999—Chechen wars Today—ongoing kidnappings and shootings Today—ongoing kidnappings and shootings

Terrorism is a political tool Terrorism is a political tool It can be used by both state and non-state actors It can be used by both state and non-state actors The monopoly of legitimate violence is being challenged in the post Cold War World. The monopoly of legitimate violence is being challenged in the post Cold War World.