Differences between Political Time and Ordinary Time
Discuss how "political time" is different than ordinary time, in terms of resistance groups. For instance, the resistance fighters in Viet Nam fought first the French, in Indochina, then the Americans, from 1945 until 1975, for thirty years. How is it possible to motivate subordinates to fight that long?
“Political time” differs from that of ordinary time in the amount of time it takes to reach an end result. As ordinary time may take anywhere from a few days to several years, “political time” refers to the amount of time it takes to achieve the ultimate goal of a group or organization. In the case of the resistance fighters in Vietnam, their willpower came from the motivation to continue fighting for a higher cause. Their ability to continue to move forward for almost thirty years led the subordinates to push through any resistance that opposed their greater cause. The leadership roles also play a crucial role in the motivation of subordinates. Without any supporting motives, subordinates will lose sight of the ultimate goal and soon enough stray away from the end result that once instilled them to continue the fight. As stated by the revolutionary leader and president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, “The Vietnamese people deeply love independence, freedom and peace. But in the face of United States aggression they have risen up, united as one man”.
How significant do you think that the success of the El Al hijacking was, in terms of international terrorism? Had the hijacking not been successful, do you think that other terrorist groups would have tried the same methodology?
The group known as the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine became the first true international terrorist organization. Their successful hijacking of the Israeli El Al on July 22, 1968 led the way to a new form of terrorism known as international terrorism in various organizations across the globe. The success of such hijacking allowed for the PFLP to
“Political time” differs from that of ordinary time in the amount of time it takes to reach an end result. As ordinary time may take anywhere from a few days to several years, “political time” refers to the amount of time it takes to achieve the ultimate goal of a group or organization. In the case of the resistance fighters in Vietnam, their willpower came from the motivation to continue fighting for a higher cause. Their ability to continue to move forward for almost thirty years led the subordinates to push through any resistance that opposed their greater cause. The leadership roles also play a crucial role in the motivation of subordinates. Without any supporting motives, subordinates will lose sight of the ultimate goal and soon enough stray away from the end result that once instilled them to continue the fight. As stated by the revolutionary leader and president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, “The Vietnamese people deeply love independence, freedom and peace. But in the face of United States aggression they have risen up, united as one man”.
How significant do you think that the success of the El Al hijacking was, in terms of international terrorism? Had the hijacking not been successful, do you think that other terrorist groups would have tried the same methodology?
The group known as the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine became the first true international terrorist organization. Their successful hijacking of the Israeli El Al on July 22, 1968 led the way to a new form of terrorism known as international terrorism in various organizations across the globe. The success of such hijacking allowed for the PFLP to