CJ 310 1-2 Journal Defining Terrorism
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Dec 6, 2023
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1-2 Module One Journal: Defining Terrorism
Author: Keisha Williams-Ferguson
Affiliation: Southern New Hampshire University
Course: CJ-310- H7313 Intro Homeland Sec/ Counter-terrorism 22EW2
Instructor: Oakley Fungaroli
Date: October 30, 2022.
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The various institutions dealing with crime worldwide have their definition of terrorism.
Most define terrorism based on their experience and the surrounding issues that could result from
terrorist activities.
The first definition is from the U.S Army Manual, which defines
terrorism
as
the "calculated use of unlawful violence or threat of unlawful violence to inculcate fear." The
second distinct definition is from the UN Security Council Resolution. The council
defines
terrorism
as "criminal acts, including against civilians, committed with the intent to
cause death or serious bodily injury, or taking of hostage, with the purpose to provoke a state of
terror in the general public or a group of persons or particular persons, intimidate a population or
compel a government or an international organization to do or abstain from doing an act
(Arizona, n.d.)."
The differences between the two definitions are evident through their structure. The U.S.
Army Manual acknowledges that the activities could be calculated for malicious intent, such as
fear. Their definitions show that acts could result from unlawful violence or threats to cause
violence to incite fear in a particular group, nation, or organization (Arizona, n.d.). The council's
definition focuses on the acts of terrorism as a result of a mission to cause an action or block the
possibility of one occurring. The council's definition acknowledges that there could be casualties
and death as the terrorists try to invoke fear in a group, person, organization, or nation (Arizona,
n.d.). Personally, the U.S. Manual code is better because it covers aspects such as religion,
politics, and ideologies. These factors are likely to cause terrorism, considering they are
practiced differently globally. In addition, the exercise makes them subjects of conflict, allowing
the military to target actions that might violate internationally agreed safety standards.
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The potential problem of having different definitions of terrorism could manifest in
groups that cause chaos and invoke terror. The people involved could develop theories that shield
them from being viewed as a terrorist. The practice could lead to massive recruitment or
discouragement of joining terrorist groups. The difference impacts one's ability to identify a
terrorist group because they might use labels, religious backgrounds, and missions to avoid being
labeled terrorists (Ackerman & Burnham, 2021). DHS might have difficulties identifying
terrorist groups, activities, beliefs, and values if they could be working with different definitions
of terrorism. Their investigations may target wrong individuals and actions resulting from
generalizing the definitions.
The advantages of a universal term defining terrorism comprise ease in conducting
investigations, identifying terrorist groups, and recognizing terrorist activities. Participants in
terrorist groups and activities would be aware of the risks they are exposed to and the
punishments they could face. The definition could assist in diminishing activities such as
recruitment into terrorist groups and participation (Ackerman & Burnham, 2021). I
define
terrorism
as any action taken or restricted to invoke fear in religious groups,
organizations, or the government.
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References
Ackerman, G. A., & Burnham, M. (2021). Towards a definition of terrorist ideology.
Terrorism
and Political Violence
,
33
(6), 1160-1190.
Arizona. (n.d.)
Terrorism definitions context
https://dema.az.gov/sites/default/files/Publications/AR-Terrorism%20Definitions-
BORUNDA.pdf