On September 11, 2001, there were totally 4 coordinated terrorist attacks in America. This resonant event excited the whole world. Terrorists seized four aircraft, two crashed into the building of the shopping center, also known as twin towers. One plane crashed in the fields of Pennsylvania, and another destroyed the Pentagon. During the attack, 2977 people died, but this is not all that includes terrorist activity.
The meaning of words
Terrorism and terrorist activities are related concepts. Terrorism is the ideology of violence, under the influence of which you can manipulate people who have money and power. The methods of violent influence can be very different: from hostage-taking with a ransom demand to an explosion in a public place, which protests.
Terrorist activity is the implementation of a pre-planned terrorist act. But that is not all that includes terrorist activity.
Actions
Terrorist activities can take many different forms. So, terrorist activity includes the following actions:
- Incitement to terror.
- Organization of armed groups.
- Training terrorists.
- Participation in the development of a terrorist plan.
- Propaganda of terrorist ideas.
Even if a person does not realize that his actions help terrorists, ignorance of the law does not relieve him of responsibility. Terrorism is the main social problem of mankind, which poses a real threat to security. Human sacrifices, the destruction of cultural heritage and other values, enmity and hatred - all this arose not a decade ago, but has existed for many centuries.
Historical background
If you call the word "terrorism" some events of the past, then it arose as far back as 340 BC. e., when during the attack the father of A. Macedon lost his life. The first terrorist group arose in the 1st century BC. e. Historians believe that it was a Jewish sect of the Sykars, they killed noble Jews that advocated peace with the Romans.
In the Middle Ages, a lot of noise was made by the organization of assassins, whose activities can be safely classified as terrorist. They had excellent command of combat and sabotage techniques and achieved what they desired by exclusively violent means.
In the new century, 4 terrorist waves stand out clearly:
- It spread in Europe and America in the 1880s, preaching anarchism (anarchy).
- Flared up during the 20th century liberation movement.
- 1970s - the cause of terrorism was the activity of the “new left”.
- It is observed today, connected with the globalization of society.
What distinguishes terrorism?
Terrorism is a socio-political phenomenon that has its own varieties, target orientation and features. The main signs of terrorist activity are considered:
- Statement. Each terrorist operation is propaganda in nature and carried out in such a way as to obtain maximum publicity.
- Fear. The atmosphere of universal fear, panic and defenselessness.
- Methods of exposure. Each organization operates in different ways: the use of violence, the creation of a dangerous environment, the destruction of valuable objects, etc.
Pursued goal
Each attack has a specific goal. The main goal of terrorist activity is to influence state leaders, officials, population groups and other organizations. By exerting such influence, terrorists achieve what they want. Simply put, terrorist acts lead people to confusion and frighten, and people, fearing for their well-being and the well-being of their loved ones, are ready to fulfill any requirements.
Also, goals can be divided depending on the subject of orientation:
- Domestic political. They are aimed at restructuring the political regime, hindering democratic changes, creating an unstable situation, undermining and provoking authorities to commit incriminating actions, disrupting public holidays and other events.
- Foreign policy. The activities of terrorists are aimed at the emergence of conflicts between a country and other states, the creation of unfavorable conditions for the citizens of a certain country outside its borders, the compromise of the state as a center for the spread of a terrorist threat.
Also, depending on the scale of activity, goals can be strategic and tactical. The former understand the preparation of favorable conditions in the country's situation for the commission of a terrorist act, while the latter are focused on popularizing the very idea of terrorism and slogans.
Varieties
Terrorism is a crime that has no excuses. Although there is no single classification of terrorist attacks, the types of terrorist activities can be divided according to the mode of manifestation. So, we can distinguish:
- Political terrorism. It protests the system of government and political activity. Terrorists may oppose parties or individual statesmen, but they have one goal - to gain access to power.
- Religious terrorism. Anyone who has heard of “suicide bombers” understands that there are fanatics who go to great lengths to achieve what they want. Their main goal is to form a country where instead of the law they will obey religious dogmas.
- Criminal terrorism. In general, criminals and their groups are involved in activities. It appears in drug trafficking, contract killings, arms smuggling.
- International terrorism. The scourge of multinational countries. The main goal of terrorists is to achieve autonomy in a certain region.
- Cyber terrorism. It was especially widespread several years ago when hackers launched a virus into the network, with the help of which they could block the work of state organizations and financial corporations, moreover, they got access to company accounts.
As you can see, all the elements that includes terrorist activity, pursue different goals and are similar only in that they achieve the desired by force.
The bigger, the better
In preparation for the next terrorist attack, terrorists can begin to look for minions. They can use various methods of influencing a person: deception, suggestion, persuasion, bribery or blackmail. Possessing the qualities of a good psychologist and manipulator, a person can be forced to adhere to a new extremist trend. Recruiters simplify a person’s picture of the world and emphasize its importance. Having received acceptance from the outside, a person becomes an easy target for manipulation and sooner or later will play a role in the next terrorist attack. How to avoid involvement in terrorist activities? In order not to become an object that can easily be lured to the “side of evil”, a person should:
- Have a specific, formulated life goal.
- Recognize the importance of honestly earned money.
- Life values should not be contradictory.
- Achieve the desired honestly, without manifestation of aggression.
As practice shows, people who do everything exactly the opposite, striving for an idle lifestyle, become the first participants in terrorist activities.
Final word
Most countries consider involvement in terrorist activities to be an unjustifiable crime. Regardless of the objectives pursued, terrorists will always be considered criminals. And although history knows a lot of evidence that some of the attacks helped to overthrow the dictatorial regime, the goal achieved by violent methods can never take root in the world for a long time. Violence breeds violence, and therefore everything that includes terrorist activity should be tried to get rid of.