Political terrorism is an illegal threat or use of violence against civilians, certain social groups, and government. Such actions include explosions in crowded places, the killing of civilians, hostage-taking, buildings and aircraft, and each such crime is committed by a group of people to carry out their own selfish goals.
History : In a primitive form, political terrorism was known even in antiquity, however, a similar method of pressure on power was most often used, starting from the second half of the 19th century. For example, in Russia there was practically no king who would not have attempted assassination attempts. Previously, authorities were killed as a result of backstage intrigues and palace coups, and attackers often used poison, but by the end of the 19th century, criminals began to carry out terrorist acts.
The concept of a political regime that is hostile to a significant part of the population comes first in this time. The terrorist methodology was applied by groups that shared the "left" views and sought to eliminate the autocracy. The most frequently carried out explosions were the motorcade in which the tsar was driving, or the railway track at the time of the train, where there were representatives of the ruling dynasty.
Modernity : Now political terrorism takes other forms, it can be in the nature of guerrilla warfare, or even be expressed in hostilities into which various states are drawn. Moreover, one side of the conflict, evaluating itself as fighters for the idea, seeks to blackmail the governments of various countries in order to achieve their goals, and their opponents are forced to suppress the actions of criminal groups, protecting the constitutional and public order in the territory entrusted.
The target of terrorists often becomes the symbolism of the country and power structures, the state as a whole and the most important social norms. If the population is politicized, it is easier for criminal groups to implement their plans, since threats often affect the results of voting and the formation of public opinion. For countries where the lives of citizens are a real value, such intimidation can result in serious political concessions in order to prevent the unjustified killing of civilians.
Modern political terrorism, examples of which can be found in almost every state, is most often based on ethnic separatism. And the criminal actions associated with the deaths of hundreds of people are aimed at gaining independence in individual regions. The formations involved in preparing for terrorist attacks and their implementation have a clear structure, they include a significant number of ideological fighters, as well as strategists and tacticians whose plans are difficult to disclose even to the special services of the most developed countries. Similar groups operate in Ireland, Corsica, in the Basque region of Spain, and the goal of each terrorist act is the recognition by the country's leadership of the independence of a certain part of the territory.
Examples : Political terrorism was characteristic of Iraq ruled by Saddam Hussein, and among the criminal actions of this politician, one can single out the manifestation of open aggression against its neighbors, the genocide of its own people, and the absence of elementary freedoms and rights among citizens. For a long time, the dictator was able to maintain the political regime that he himself introduced by completely eliminating the people from ruling the country, cruel repression, getting rid of opponents and banning the registration of any parties.
The criminal activity of the al-Qaeda international group is not limited to carrying out terrorist acts in a certain country, but thanks to the explosions, hijacking of aircraft, and the destruction of buildings, representatives of this group seek to intimidate the whole world.