TRANSNATIONAL CRIME AND TERRORISM

WHAT IS TERRORISM?The FBI uses this definition:

"Terrorism is the unlawful use of force and 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."

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TERRORISM FORM OTHER FORMS OF CRIMEThe terrorist is often well trained

and state-supported. He or she has a specific goal in mind, often more symbolic than opportunistic. On the other hand, it is a fair statement that the “ordinary” criminal is one who seeks opportunistic targets, has little backing, is selfish, lacks discipline and may be deterred relatively easily.

cont.Criminals tend to hide after they commit

a crime, but terrorists often like to take credit and bask in the media’s propaganda.  Another factor to consider is the span of attacks of regular criminals and terrorists.  Most criminals operate within the proximity of their hide out, while most terrorists operate within entire countries, and many of them, operate internationally; with hideouts and safe houses in many geographic regions.

CATEGORIES OF TERRORIST GROUPS

SeparatistSeparatist groups are those with

the goal of separation from existing entities through independence, political autonomy, or religious freedom or domination.

EthnocentricGroups of this persuasion see

race as the defining characteristic of a society, and therefore a basis of cohesion. There is usually the attitude that a particular group is superior because of their inherent racial characteristics.

NationalisticThe loyalty and devotion to a

nation, and the national consciousness derived from placing one nation's culture and interests above those of other nations or groups.

RevolutionaryDedicated to the overthrow of an

established order and replacing it with a new political or social structure. Although often associated with communist political ideologies, this is not always the case, and other political movements can advocate revolutionary methods to achieve their goals.

PoliticalPolitical ideologies are concerned

with the structure and organization of the forms of government and communities. While observers outside terrorist organizations may stress differences in political ideology, the activities of groups that are diametrically opposed on the political spectrum are similar to each other in practice.

ReligiousReligiously inspired terrorism is on

the rise, with a forty-three percent increase of total international terror groups espousing religious motivation between 1980 and 1995. Religiously motivated terrorists see their objectives as holy writ, and therefore infallible and non-negotiable.

SocialOften particular social policies or

issues will be so contentious that they will incite extremist behavior and terrorism. Frequently this is referred to as "single issue" or "special interest" terrorism. Some issues that have produced terrorist activities in the United States and other countries include animal rights, abortion, ecology/environment, and minority rights.

DomesticThese terrorists are "home-

grown" and operate within and against their home country. They are frequently tied to extreme social or political factions within a particular society, and focus their efforts specifically on their nation's socio-political arena.

International or TransnationalOften describing the support and

operational reach of a group, these terms are often loosely defined, and can be applied to widely different capabilities. International groups typically operate in multiple countries, but retain a geographic focus for their activities.

TYPES OF TERRORISM ACCORDING TO ATTACKS

State Terrorism

State terrorism is the systematic use of terror by a government in order to control its population. Not to be confused with state sponsored terrorism, where states sponsor terrorist groups, state terrorism is entirely carried out by the group holding power in a country and not a non-governmental organization. It is the original form of terrorism.

Religious Terrorism

Terrorism can be motivated by religious ideologies and grievances. Religious terrorism is particularly dangerous due to the fanaticism of those who practice it and their willingness to sacrifice themselves for the cause.

Right Wing Terrorism

This type of terrorism aims to combat liberal governments and preserve traditional social orders. Right Wing terrorism is commonly characterized by militias and gangs; many times these groups are racially motivated and aim to marginalize minorities within a state.

Left Wing Terrorism

These groups seek to overthrow capitalist democracies and establish socialist or communist governments in their place. They want to attack the established system in order to do away with class distinction.

Pathological Terrorism

This describes the use of terrorism by individuals who utilize such strategies for the sheer joy of terrorizing others. Pathological terrorists often operate alone rather in groups like the others on this list and often are not true ‘terrorists’ as they lack any well-defined political motive.

Issue Oriented Terrorism

This type of terrorism is carried out for the purpose of advancing a specific issue. Commonly these issues are social in nature or deal with the environment. Here this definition is used to include environmental terrorism.

Separatist Terrorism

Separatists seek to cause fragmentation within a country and establishment a new state. This type of terrorism is typical of minorities within a nation-state that desire their own, commonly due to discrimination from the majority group.

Narco-Terrorism

This term originally refers to organizations that gain funds through the sale of drugs. It can also deal with the use of violence by those groups or gangs designed to make the sale of their drugs easier.

GOALS AND MOTIVATIONS OF

TERRORISTS

Terrorists primary motivesPrimary motives include the

achievement of autonomy or secession by nationalist groups or the replacement of secular law with religious law by religious groups.Primary motives are generally not

common across all groups

Secondary motivesThe three R's

◦Revenge Terrorists see themselves as playing

David to the state's Goliath; see state as the aggressor

◦Renown Publicity is a central objective, but also

glory for the individual and the cause◦Reaction

Terrorist attacks demonstrate the existence of a resistance and its strength