Comparison between Traditional and Modern Terrorism - Essay Example

The concepts of terrorism have continuously been a part of historical events. The rebellion against the governmental systems as well as opposition from different groups is the main concept which defines the terrorist groups that are a part of society. The terrorist groups that are within a society have the aim of opposing the government and having a specific mission and message to deliver to society through violence and other forceful impacts. When looking at the contemporary trends, it can be seen that the new types of terrorism differ from older and more traditional terrorism in some respects and also have some foundational similarities as traditional terrorism. The alterations are based on the tactics used as well as the type of opposition that is dominant in the groups. However, the overall agenda and ideologies remain the same from the various groups. Defining and understanding these two concepts creates a different understanding of how the groups work as well as how the intentions and tactics used with terrorism have changed throughout time while keeping fundamental values as a similar, unifying force among the groups. Definition of Types of Terrorism The traditional terrorism which existed before the Cold War was specifically identified by specific responses to problems by groups outside of the norm. These groups were opposed to the state actions and government policies which were forming. To protest this, the groups would form outside of the main system and protest the policies and actions of the government through acts of terrorism. Typically, the groups would target different groups of people, politicians and other leaders in power to send the message across about terrorism. The traditional terrorism was defined specifically to attack specific groups of people and to terrorize them to get a specific message across about the need for change and the opposition to what was occurring in society (Gunning, 363: 2007) The concept of terrorism is traced back to the early 1800s with leaders and groups opposing the systems and government in place. The first account of terrorism was in 1894 with the anarchists who stabbed the Empress Elizabeth of Austria and killed Antonio Canovas, the Spanish prime minister. This led to several groups who were a part of this era were specifically opposed to the government and political systems and focused on committing assassinations of those who were in power to overthrown the current system and to re-establish a different system. The rise of terrorism from the 1900s created the understanding of traditional terrorism, which was based on weapons such as guns that were used for assassinations. The motivations and strategies were always based on killing the leaders in power as well as the ability to overthrow specific powers. Most would separate themselves from society by different ethnic groups and through religious beliefs (Laqueur, 24: 1996). During the 1980s, the intensity of terrorism increased. The Cold War and the associations with international conflicts for the first time became the main conflict that was associated with terrorism. The main focus during this time was with state based terrorist groups who were taking part in guerrilla warfare, associations with Civil Wars and which were creating specific statements against the government. During this time, there was a rise in small groups of terrorists that were interested in spreading a specific message across the state that opposed the government and system that was in conflict. The main initiative of these terrorist groups was based on finding ways to cause a level of destruction to the national governments while creating domestic problems in different regions. While some of these were based on domestic attacks to get international countries out of the country, the main objective was to work on attacking the current system and political affiliations that were in the country (Laqueuer, 25: 2006). The types of terrorism began to change after the 1990s when a different set of attacks began to emerge. This started in 1995 when a Tokyo underground station was attacked with gas through a Japanese cult. A man named Aum Shinrikyo killed 12 people and injured over 5,000. This was the first attack that was considered to be a part of the modern terrorist attacks. This particular group was identified as an independent set of individuals who were not acting with state patronage or production. They were able to use biochemical weapons and new types of technology to commit the terrorist acts, which had never before been done. This led to the continuous question of threats throughout the world through these specific means as well as a new expression to terrorism that was based on attacks of the general public and the use of new types of weapons to show the message that opposed society, systems and the government not only within a state but also at an international level (Gearson, 7: 2002). The Movement into Modern Terrorism The terrorist groups that have developed since the 1995 acts in Tokyo have led to several terrorist groups that have used the same tactics to lead to modern terrorism. The most well – known event that has been a part of this is from the attack on the twin towers on September 11, 2001. This brought attention to the concept of new terrorism and showed that the tactics which were used by terrorists had moved outside of the traditional means of terrorism. From this time, there has been a rise in terrorist activities, all which are based on this same formula of implementing new ways of attacking the system. This is based on attacking civilians first and is also inclusive of an umbrella of individuals that work together to try to overthrow the governmental powers and the system that is currently in place. The new methods that have been put into place has become more than a state issue, and instead has led to international conflicts from September 11 that has created the War on Terror, which is the first of its kind to be seen in the acts of terrorism (Kartzke, Miller, Patterson, Smolosky, 2005). The War on Terrorism that has been established is one which has defined the different strategies and techniques that are used among terrorist groups to achieve specific purposes. The War on Terrorism has defined two major regions that are working with the concepts of new terrorism against the United States, including the Middle East and South Asia. Groups that are of primary threat to the United States include al – Qaeda, Hizb-Allah HAMAS and the Islam Jihad. These specific groups are defined as a part of new terrorism specifically because they have combined with umbrella organizations. This is inclusive of several smaller groups throughout the Middle East and South Asia that are under the same influence of trying to overthrow the Western governments through different types of mass destruction. The smaller groups are all unified by Islamic beliefs, specifically which leads them to an understanding that the Western states oppose the values of Islam. The fanatical beliefs are followed by the belief that those who are a part of the groups should sacrifice their life in trying to destroy the government through the United States. Using mass destructive weapons, biological weapons and technological weapons are the main ways in which attacks are made, not only on politicians, but also on the general population (Kometer, 49: 2004). Differences Between Traditional and Modern Terrorism The different weapons that are used, as well as the approach which is taken in destruction are two of the main concepts that cause the difference between traditional and modern terrorism. In traditional terrorism, there was a focus on guns as the main weapon with a strong statement made through individual assassinations. These were used to admit that the government required change in a specific state. In modern terrorism, the choice of weapon is the nuclear – biological – chemical terrorism, which is also known as the third wave of vulnerability. With these specific weapons of destruction, there is the ability to reach larger groups of people, as opposed to focusing on one political power. Those who are involved in the attacks will voluntarily commit suicide with the act as an expectation while endangering as many civilians as possible in a given area with the attack, specifically to create a statement of destroying an entire system, as opposed to overthrowing the political leaders that are in charge of the specific system. Examples of this are based on bombs that are planted in buses and transportation systems, the crashing of the airplanes to the twin towers and the spreading of biochemicals to kill individuals that open a specific piece of mail. The acts of violence are more discrete and are based on killing several civilians while committing suicide to deliver a message, as opposed to fighting with one assassination through the traditional terrorist attacks (Morgan, 12: 2004). The concept of new terrorism also differs from the traditional groups because of the main belief systems and establishments that are a founding part of the group. In the older groups, there were a designated group of people who opposed the government or a specific idea. The main goal and mission was to overthrow the specific power in order to change the functioning that was occurring. In the current and modern terrorist groups the focus has changed. Instead of opposing one idea, the mission is based on other belief systems and values. Ethnic and religious groups are more likely to be in the current terrorist groups, as opposed to having diversity of thought. This unification is furthered by the religious beliefs driving forward the group to stop an entire system. The mission is to show that there is a superior belief system through the fanatical beliefs of the groups, as opposed to having the current systems in place. More important, these new groups are interested in abolishing an entire system, as opposed to the more traditional terrorists who centered the problems on one person or agenda that needed to be overthrown. The main agenda and fanatical beliefs has led to more casualties and deaths of civilians as well as a different statement and mission that is coming from the different groups (Spencer, 4: 2006). The differences that were a part of the terrorist groups were furthered by the type of message that was the driving force. In both types of terrorism, there is a political message that is based on opposition of the current system or specific leaders, seen through the acts of terrorism that have taken place. However, the modern approaches to terrorism are based on attacking civilians and overthrowing the system, specifically because it goes against religious beliefs. In the more traditional terrorist thoughts, the main concept was to overthrow a part of the government because it was considered unjust or unfair to those that were under the system. This same initiative took place throughout the 1980s with attacking political leaders and certain groups. The agenda of the current terrorists is not based on one group, but is instead spreading the message that everyone within society needs to change the approach to fighting terrorism (Spencer, 4: 2006). Similarities in Terrorist Groups Even though there are several groups that use specific tactics that are upgraded and which have a specific mission, there are also similarities between the traditional and new groups. The first is based on the individualistic ideologies that are a part of terrorism. There is a known psychology which is related to terrorist groups which is based on specific personality disorders. It is known that there is a sense of irrationality that is among terrorist groups that links the individuals to taking specific actions in response to an act which needs to be changed. Opposing groups to the government will act in a similar manner, despite the traditional or modern concepts used. In the traditional forms, this irrationality moved into attacking political leaders and creating assassinations, usually which was followed by delivering a message that the system needed to change. Today, the same commitment to delivering this message and to the irrationality of killing civilians to get a message across is the main agenda. The concept has led terrorist campaigns to be linked to the same irrationality and fanaticism throughout history and has altered the way in which all groups act in response to given situations (Crenshaw, 405: 2000). The concept of commitment to a message is one which is also driven by the concepts of how one begins to believe in the specific message and mission to be delivered as well as the fanaticism which is used to carry this out. In modern terrorism, most groups are religiously based and pride themselves on delivering a message from sacred script which is ignored by political leaders and which is causing the destruction of specific systems. It has been noted that most terrorists in the traditional terms had the same association with religious beliefs and with the understanding that those in political powers were opposed to the religious sacredness that was a part of the beliefs of the time period. The concept of sacred terror is one which has continued to exist and is often the driving force of the mission from those that are involved in terrorism. Having religion as the basis with the different groups then links specifically to political beliefs and agendas that are based on overriding the system. Groups throughout history have taken this same perspective in trying to override the system and in the acts of terror which are committed as a result (Rapoport, 659: 1984). Another component which is associated with the terrorist groups throughout time is related to the irrationality that drives many of the individuals forward in either suicide or in admitting to the act which has been committed. The terrorist groups, no matter what time frame, have committed acts of terror with a strategy in mind and to gather the attention of those that are in a given region. In the past, the strategy was to assassinate a main leader and to admit to what was done after a given period of time. The current strategy is to work toward a physical self – sacrifice that shows the legitimacy of the message which is being given and which shows that the circumstances are important to note, specifically to change the political purposes and policies which the groups don’t believe in. Using strategy is a component that has been used since the beginning terrorist attacks and is specific to altering the attention that is given to the attacks through a type of campaign. When one sacrifices their innocence or their life for a specific message, it works strategically to create a message about the realities of a governmental system and the opposition that is linked directly to this (Pape, 344: 2003). Another link that is a part of the similarities with terrorism is based on the acts of violence which are committed. Most associate differences with terrorism from traditional and new perspectives because of the types of violence that are used. Assassinating the political leaders as the old form of terrorism and the biological and nuclear weapons for the modern terrorism are the main ways in which the terrorism is defined from both perspectives. Even though there are different types of violence that are used, the concept of terrorism is dependent on the acts of violence that are used to get a message across. The violence is one which defines getting the message to individuals, and is the strategic weapon of choice to alert the mass of the lack of a consistent system or political affiliations that work for the needs of those in society. Even though the weapons have altered through technology and other concepts, there are some fundamental similarities in using the tactic of violence to associate with the main points of terrorism (Copeland, 3: 2001). Conclusion The concept of terrorism is one which has existed from the 1800s and has accumulated through several states and into an international level. The differences in the traditional and modern terrorism are based on the alterations in the choice of weapon as well as the types of attacks that are made. The social, cultural and psychological implications that relate to fanatical groups with religion as well as types of missions and messages about the government are also associated with the differences in terrorism. While the mechanics differ between the types of terrorism, there are also fundamental similarities between the groups. The psychological and social implications have remained the same, specifically with irrational methods to send across a message as well as fanaticism that are associated with this. This is combined with the similarities in the religious associations and the use of violence to complete the specific missions. While the details of terrorism differ, the fundamental strategies have remained the same throughout history. References Copeland, Thomas. (2001). “Is the New Terrorism Really New? An Analysis of the New Paradigm for Terrorism.” The Journal of Conflict Studies 21 (2). Crenshaw, Martha. (2000). “The Psychology of Terrorism: An Agenda for the 21st Century.” Political Psychology 21 (2). Gearson, John. (2002). “The Nature of Modern Terrorism.” The Political Quarterly. 73 (1). Gunning, Jeroen. (2007). “A Case for Critical Terrorism Studies.” Government and Opposition 42 (3). Kartzke, Ryan, Hilary Miller, Christopher Patterson, Kristina Smolosky. (2005). “The New Terrorism.” Ethica Publishing. Kometer, Michael. (2004). “The New Terrorism: The Nature of the War on Terrorism.” Air University Press. Laqueur, Walter. (1996). “Postmodern Terrorism.” Foreign Affairs (September) Morgan, Matthew. (2004). “The Origins of the New Terrorism.” Parameters (34). Pape, Robert. (2003) “The Strategic Logic of Suicide Terrorism.” The American Political Science Review 97 (3). Rapoport, David. (1984). “Fear and Trembling: Terrorism in Three Religious Traditions.” The American Political Science Review 78 (3). Spencer, Alexander. (2006). “Questioning the Concept of New Terrorism.” Peace, Conflict and Development (8). Read More