Defining Terrorism In The Post-9/11 World

In the post-9/11 world, public officials have tried to define terrorism and understand its roots. President George W. Bush argued that terrorism is incited by “‘persistent poverty and oppression.’” Because these factors “‘can lead to hopelessness and despair,’” he argued, “‘failed states can become havens for terror’” (Krieger and Meierrieks 3). While valid, this argument falls slightly short of understanding the full problem. Many argue that terrorism is incited by individuals with psychological problems, but the roots of it are really much more profound. Oftentimes, it is well-educated individuals who are weary of their social conditions that bring on terrorism. Terrorism is often a calculated, rational response to political oppression. The political oppression that the Muslims experienced throughout the twentieth
Put as simply as possible, however, terrorism is the “indiscriminate killing of innocent citizens for political goals” (Hislope and Mughan 262). Terrorism is a multifaceted, complicated concept with deep roots, which is what makes it so difficult to define. Terrorism is not an ideology, but it is a “method, a technique, a tactic” that a variety of groups use to achieve their political goals (Hislope and Mughan 239). Russian anarchist Peter Kropotkin described terrorism as “‘propaganda by the deed,’” suggesting that this kind of violence is simply a method of demonstrating a point that would not otherwise be heard (239). While terrorism definitely has gained prevalence in recent years, it “is anything but new,” with general origins dating back to the biblical Zealots (Rodenbeck 1). The term “‘terrorism’” first emerged during the French Revolution amid the Reign of Terror (Hislope and Mughan 248). However, the modern understanding of terrorism first emerged in the twentieth century, as non-governmental groups attempted to combat the increasing globalization occurring throughout the