UNIVERSITY OF MINDANAO

Tagum College

Department of Criminal Justice Education

Criminology Program

Physically Distanced but Academically Engaged

Self-Instructional Manual (SIM) for Self-Directed

Learning (SDL)

Course/Subject: CRI 331 INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

Name of Teacher: Maria Rosalie R. Maglana, RCrim

THIS SIM/SDL MANUAL IS A DRAFT VERSION ONLY; NOT

FOR REPRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OUTSIDE OF
ITS INTENDED USE. THIS IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE
USE OF THE STUDENTS WHO ARE OFFICIALLY
ENROLLED IN THE COURSE/SUBJECT.
EXPECT REVISIONS OF THE MANUAL.
 DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION
Mabini Street, Tagum City
Davao del Norte
Telefax: (084)655-9591 Local 120

Table of Contents
page

Part 1. Course Outline and Policies ...................................................... 1

Part 2. Instruction Delivery
CC’s Voice ............................................................................…….. 4
Course Outcomes .......................................................................... 4
Big Picture A: Unit Learning Outcomes ....................................... 4
Big Picture in Focus: ULO a….…………………………………………. 5
Metalanguage .......................................................................... 5
Essential Knowledge ............................................................... 5
Self-Help .................................................................................... 10
Let’s Check .................................................................................... 11
Let’s Analyze ......................................................................... 12
In a Nutshell .................................................................................... 13
Q&A List .................................................................................... 13
Keywords Index ......................................................................... 14
Big Picture in Focus: ULO b………………………………………… 14
Metalanguage .......................................................................... 14
Essential Knowledge ............................................................... 14
Self-Help .................................................................................... 17
Let’s Check .................................................................................... 24
Let’s Analyze ......................................................................... 25
In a Nutshell .................................................................................... 26
Q&A List .................................................................................... 26
Keywords Index ......................................................................... 27

Big Picture B: Unit Learning Outcomes ............................................. 27

Big Picture in Focus:ULOa ……………………………………………… 27
Metalanguage .......................................................................... 27
Essential Knowledge ............................................................... 28
Self-Help .................................................................................... 46
Let’s Check .................................................................................... 46

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 DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION
Mabini Street, Tagum City
Davao del Norte
Telefax: (084)655-9591 Local 120

Let’s Analyze ......................................................................... 47

In a Nutshell .................................................................................... 48
Q&A List .................................................................................... 49
Keywords Index ......................................................................... 49

Big Picture C: Unit Learning Outcomes ......................................... 50

Big Picture in Focus: ULO a ………………………………………… 50
Metalanguage .......................................................................... 50
Essential Knowledge ............................................................... 50
Self-Help .................................................................................... 62
Let’s Check .................................................................................... 62
Let’s Analyze ......................................................................... 63
In a Nutshell .................................................................................... 64
Q&A List .................................................................................... 64
Keywords Index ......................................................................... 65

Big Picture D: Unit Learning Outcomes ......................................... 65

Big Picture in Focus: ULO a …………………………………………… 65
Metalanguage .......................................................................... 65
Essential Knowledge ............................................................... 66
Self-Help .................................................................................... 70
Let’s Check .................................................................................... 70
Let’s Analyze ......................................................................... 71
In a Nutshell .................................................................................... 72
Q&A List .................................................................................... 72
Keywords Index ......................................................................... 73

Part 3. Course Schedule ......................................................................... 77

Online Code of Conduct .............................................................. 74
Monitoring of OBD and DED............................................................ 75

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 DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION
Mabini Street, Tagum City
Davao del Norte
Telefax: (084)655-9591 Local 120

Course Outline: CRI 331 – INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

Course Coordinator: MARIA ROSALIE R. MAGLANA

Email: mariarosalie_maglana@umindanao.edu.ph
Student Consultation: By appointment
Mobile: 09206602321
EffectivityDate: January 2021
Mode of Delivery: Online Blended Delivery
Time Frame: 54 Hours
StudentWorkload: Expected Self-Directed Learning
Requisites: None
Credit: 3 units
Attendance Requirements: A minimum of 95% attendance is required
at all scheduled sessions.

Course Outline Policy

Areas of Concern Details

Contact and Non-contact Hours This 3-unit course self-instructional manual is
designed for online blended delivery mode of
instructional delivery. The expected number of hours
will be 54 including the face to face or virtual sessions.
The face to face sessions shall include the summative
assessment tasks (exams) since this course is crucial
in the licensure examination for criminology.

Assessment Task Submission Submission of assessment tasks shall be on 3rd, 5th,

7th and 9th week of the term. The assessment paper
shall be attached with a cover page indicating the title
of the assessment task (if the task is performance),
the name of the course coordinator, date of
submission and name of the student. The document
should be emailed to the course coordinator. It is also
expected that you already paid your tuition and other
fees before the submission of the assessment task.

If the assessment task is done in real time through the

features in the QUIPPER, the schedule shall be
arranged ahead of time by the course coordinator.

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 DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION
Mabini Street, Tagum City
Davao del Norte
Telefax: (084)655-9591 Local 120

Since this course is included in the licensure

examination for criminology, you will be required to
take the Multiple Choice Question exam inside the
University. This should be scheduled ahead of time by
your course coordinator.
This is non-negotiable for all licensure-based
programs.
Turnitin Submission (if To ensure honesty and authenticity, all assessment
necessary) tasks are required to be submitted through Turnitin
with a maximum similarity index of 30% allowed. This
means that if your paper goes beyond 30%, the
students will either opt to redo her/his paper or explain
in writing addressed to the course coordinator the
reasons for the similarity. In addition, if the paper has
reached more than 30% similarity index, the student
may be called for a disciplinary action in accordance
with the University’s OPM on Intellectual and
Academic Honesty.

Please note that academic dishonesty such as

cheating and commissioning other students or people
to complete the task for you have severe punishments
(reprimand, warning, expulsion).
Penalties for Late The score for an assessment item submitted after the
Assignments/Assessments designated time on the due date, without an approved
extension of time, will be reduced by 5% of the
possible maximum score for that assessment item for
each day or part day that the assessment item is late.

However, if the late submission of assessment paper

has a valid reason, a letter of explanation should be
submitted and approved by the course coordinator. If
necessary, you will also be required to present/attach
evidences.
Return of Assignments/ Assessment tasks will be returned to you two (2)
Assessments weeks after the submission. This will be returned by
email or via QUIPPER portal.

For group assessment tasks, the course coordinator

will require some or few of the students for online or
virtual sessions to ask a clarified question to validate
the originality of the assessment task submitted and to
ensure that all the group members are involved.
Assignment Resubmission You should request in writing addressed to the course
coordinator his/her intention to resubmit an
assessment task. The resubmission is premised on
the student’s failure to comply with the similarity index
and other reasonable grounds such as academic
literacy

standards or other reasonable circumstances e.g.

illness, accidents financial constraints.

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 DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION
Mabini Street, Tagum City
Davao del Norte
Telefax: (084)655-9591 Local 120

Re-marking of Assessment Papers You should request in writing addressed to the

and Appeal program coordinator your intention to appeal or
contest the score given to an assessment task. The
letter should explicitly explain the reasons/points to
contest the grade. The program coordinator shall
communicate with the students on the approval and
disapproval of the request.

If disapproved by the course coordinator, you can

elevate your case to the program head or the dean
with the original letter of request. The final decision
will come from the dean of the college.
Grading System Your grades will be based on the following:
Examinations
First to Third 30%
Final 30% = 60%
Class Participations
Quizzes 10%
Assignments 5%
Research/Requirements 15%
Oral Recitation 10% = 40%
Total = 100%

Submission of the final grades shall follow the

usual University system and procedures.

Preferred Referencing Style Depends on the discipline; if uncertain or inadequate,

use the general practice of the APA 7 th Edition.

Student Communication You are required to create an email account which is a

requirement to access the QUIPPER portal. Then, the
course coordinator shall enroll the students to have
access to the materials and resources of the course.
All communication formats: chat, submission of
assessment tasks, requests etc. shall be through the
portal and other university recognized platforms.

You can also meet the course coordinator in person

through the scheduled face to face sessions to raise
your issues and concerns.

For students who have not created their student email,

please contact the course coordinator or program
head.
Contact Details of the Dean Gina Fe G. Israel, EdD
Email:
deansofficetagum@umindanao.edu.ph
Phone: 0915 832 5092 / 0909 994 2314
Contact Details of the Program Jun Mark A. Asis, MSCrim
Head Email: makoyasis@gmail.com
Phone: 0938 493 1993

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 DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION
Mabini Street, Tagum City
Davao del Norte
Telefax: (084)655-9591 Local 120

Students with Special Needs Students with special needs shall communicate with
the course coordinator about the nature of his or her
special needs. Depending on the nature of the need,
the course coordinator with the approval of the
program coordinator may provide alternative
assessment tasks or extension of the deadline of
submission of assessment tasks. However, the
alternative assessment tasks should still be in the
service of achieving the desired course learning
outcomes.
Online Tutorial Registration You are required to enroll in a specific tutorial time for
this course via the www.cte.edu.ph portal. Please
note that there is a deadline for enrollment to the
tutorial.
Help Desk Contact Globe: 0917 466 709
Smart: 09308920005
Library Contact lictagum@umindanao.edu.ph
0927 395 1639

Course Information– see/download course syllabus in the QUIPPER LMS

CC’s Voice: Hello dear students! Welcome to this course CRI 331:
INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM. By now, I am confident that you
really wanted to learn and that you have visualized yourself already
being in front of the classroom teaching.

CO Before you became a professional, you have to demonstrate technical and

professional expertise in the practice of criminology which is the ultimate course
outcome (CO) of this subject. When we talked about this course as a component of
professionalism, this will help you acquire a solid understanding about the definitions
of terrorism and the root causes of violent political extremism, develop
comprehensive, contextual, and critical skills for defining terrorism for understanding
the many causes of terrorist behavior and about the many manifestations of
terrorism by developing skills to critically assess and understand historical and
modern examples of political violence and also comprehend the significance of the
terrorist trade in the modern world, the counterterrorist options and the homeland
security environment and about the projections for political violence in the future.

Let us begin!

Big Picture A

Week 1-3: Unit Learning Outcomes (ULO): At the end of the unit, you are

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 DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION
Mabini Street, Tagum City
Davao del Norte
Telefax: (084)655-9591 Local 120

expected to

1. Comprehend the basic concepts of terrorism and understand the reasons

underlying why certain groups, movements, and individuals are labeled as
terrorists and freedom fighters.
2. Explain the causes of terrorism.

Big Picture in Focus: ULO a. Have a deep knowledge in its broader

aspect about the basic concepts of terrorism and understand the reasons
underlying certain groups, movements, and individuals are labeled as
terrorists and freedom fighters.

Metalanguage
The following are terms to be remembered as we go through in studying this unit.
Please refer to these definitions as supplement in case you will encounter difficulty in
understanding the basic concepts of this unit.

1. Terrorism – The calculated use of violence or the threat of violence to inculcate

fear; intended to coerce or to intimidate governments or societies in the
pursuit of goals that are generally political, religious, or ideological. (U.S.
Department of Defense)
- The unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate
or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in
furtherance of political or social objectives. (FBI)

2. International Terrorism – Refers to terrorism that goes beyond national boundaries

in terms of the methods used, the people that are targeted or the places from
which the terrorists operate.

3. Just war – notion that the resort to armed force (jus ad bellum) is justified under
certain conditions; also, the notion that the use of force (jus in bello) should be limited
in certain ways.

4. Violent Extremism – defined by the FBI as “encouraging, condoning, justifying, or

supporting the commission of a violent act to achieve political, ideological, religious,
social, or economic goals.”

5. Pacifism – the belief that any violence, including war, is unjustifiable under any
circumstances, and that all disputes should be settled by peaceful means.

Essential Knowledge

This part is a general introduction to the subject of terrorism. It is an overview- a first

glance- of basic concepts that will be developed in later discussions.

An Overview of Extremism and Terrorism

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 DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION
Mabini Street, Tagum City
Davao del Norte
Telefax: (084)655-9591 Local 120

Extremism is a quality that is “radical in opinion, especially in political matters. It is

characterized by intolerance toward opposing interests and divergent opinions, and it is the
primary catalyst and motivation for terrorist behavior. Extremists who cross the line to
become terrorists always develop noble arguments to rationalize and justify acts of violence
directed against enemy nations, people, religions, or other interests.
Thus, a fundamental definitional issue for extremism is how one expresses an idea,
in addition to the question of which belief one acts upon. Extremism is a precursor to
terrorism – it is an overarching belief system terrorists use to justify their violent behavior.
Extremism is characterized by what a person’s beliefs are as well as how a person
expresses his or her beliefs. Thus, no matter how offensive or reprehensible one’s thoughts
or words are, they are not by themselves acts of terrorism. Only those who violently act out
their extremist beliefs are terrorists.
Terrorism, would not, from a layperson’s point of view, seem to be a difficult concept
to define. Most people likely hold an instinctive understanding that terrorism is:
• Politically motivated violence
• Usually directed against soft targets (civilian and administrative government
targets)
• With an intention to affect (terrorize) a target audience

This instinctive understanding would also hold that terrorism is criminal, unfair, or
otherwise illegitimate use of force. Laypersons might presume that this is an easily
understood concept, but defining terrorism is not such a simple process.

The French Revolution

During the French Revolution, the word terrorism was coined in its modern context
by British statesman and philosopher Edmund Burke. He used the word to describe the
régime de la terreur, commonly known in English as the Reign of Terror June 1793 to July
1794).” The Reign of Terror, led by the radical Jacobin-dominated government, is a good
example of state terrorism carried out to further the goals of a revolutionary ideology.* During
the Terror, thousands of opponents to the Jacobin dictatorship—and others merely
perceived to be enemies of the new revolutionary Republic—were arrested and put on trial
before a Revolutionary Tribunal. Those found to be enemies of the Republic were beheaded
by a new instrument of execution—the guillotine. The guillotine had the capability to
execute
victims one after the other in assembly-line fashion and was regarded by Jacobins and other
revolutionaries at the time as an enlightened and civilized tool of revobutionary justice.”

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 DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION
Mabini Street, Tagum City
Davao del Norte
Telefax: (084)655-9591 Local 120

The ferocity of the Reign of Terror is reflected in the number of victims: Between
17,000 and 40,000 persons were executed, and perhaps 200,000 political prisoners died in
prisons from disease and starvation.” Two incidents illustrate the communal nature of this
violence: In Lyon, 700 people were massacred by cannon fire in the town square, and in
Nantes, thousands were drowned in the Loire River when the boats they were detained in
were sunk.”

The Just War Doctrine

The just war doctrine is an ideal and a moralistic philosophy. The concept is often
used by ideological and religious extremists to justify acts of extreme violence. Throughout
history, nations and individuals have gone to war with the belief that their cause was just and
their opponents’ cause unjust. Similarly, attempts have been made for millennia to write fair
and just laws of war and rules of engagement. For example, in the late 19 th century and early
20th centuries, the Hague Conventions produced at least 21 international agreements on the
rules of war. This is a moral and ethical issue that raises the questions of whether one can
ethically attack an opponent, how one can justifiably defend oneself with force, and what
types of force are morally acceptable in either context. The just war debate also asks who
can morally be defined as an enemy and what kinds of targets it is morally acceptable to
attack. In this regard, there are two separate components to the concept of just war (which
philosophers call the “just war tradition”)
• The rationale for initiating the war (a war’s end)
• Method of warfare (a war’s means)

Criteria for whether a war is just are divided into

• jus ad bellum (justice of war)
• jus in bello (justice in war)

Thus, jus in bello is correct behavior while waging war, and jus ad bellum is having the
correct conditions for waging was in the first place. These concepts have been debated by
philosophers and theologians for centuries.

The Modern Era and the War on Terrorism

It is clear from human history that terrorism is deeply woven into the fabric of social
and political conflict. This quality has not changed, and in the modern world, states and
targeted populations are challenged by the New Terrorism, which is characterized by the
following:
• Loose, cell-based networks with minimal lines of command and control
• Desired acquisition of high-intensity weapons and weapons of mass destruction

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 DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION
Mabini Street, Tagum City
Davao del Norte
Telefax: (084)655-9591 Local 120

• Politically vague, religious, or mystical motivations

• Asymmetrical methods that maximize casualties
• Skillful use of the Internet and manipulation of the media.

The New Terrorism should be contrasted with traditional terrorism, which is typically
characterized by the following:
• Clearly identifiable organizations or movements
• Use of conventional weapons, usually small arms and explosives
• Explicit grievances championing specific classes or ethnonational groups
• Relatively “surgical” selection of targets

New information technologies and the Internet create unprecedented opportunities for
terrorist groups, and violent extremists have become adept at bringing their wars into the
homes of literally hundreds of millions of people.

Terrorism and Criminal Skill: Three Cases from the Modern Era
Terrorism is condemned internationally as an illegal use of force and an illegitimate
expressions of political will. Applying this concept of illegality, one can argue that terrorists
are criminals and that terrorist attacks require some degree of criminal skill. For example, the
radical Islamist network Al Qa’ida set up an elaborate financial system to sustain its
activities. This financial system included secret bank accounts, front companies, offshore
bank accounts, and charities. Al Qa’ida is an example os stateless movement that became a
self-sustaining revolutionary network. It is also an example of a sophisticated transnational
criminal enterprise.
Terrorist attacks involve different degrees of criminal skill. The following cases are
examples of the wide range of sophistication found in incidents of political violence. All these
cases are short illustrations of the criminal skill of the following individual extremists:
• Anders Breivik, a Norweigan right-wing extremist who detonated a lethal bomb in
Oslo and went on a killing spree at a youth camp in July 2011.
• Ted Kaczynski, also known as the Unabomber, who was famous for sending mail
bombs to his victims and who eluded capture for 18 years, from 1978-1996.
• Ramzi Yousef, an international terrorist who was the mastermind behind the first
World Trade Center bombing in Febuary 1993.

CASE 1: Anders Breivik

Many terrorist incidents are the acts of individual extremists who simply embark on
killing sprees, using a relatively low degree of criminal sophistication. For example, domestic
“lone wolf’ attacks in Europe and the United States have usually been ideological or racially
motivated killing sprees committed by individual extremists who are often neo-fascists, neo
Nazis, or racial supremacists. One of these attacks occurred on July 22, 2011, in and around
Oslo, Norway, when a right-wing extremist murdered nearly 80 people.

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 DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION
Mabini Street, Tagum City
Davao del Norte
Telefax: (084)655-9591 Local 120

Anders Breivik, a self-professed right-wing ideologue, detonated a car bomb in the

government district of Oslo and methodically shot to death dozens of victims at a Norwegian
Labor Party youth summer camp on the island of Utaya. His victims were government
workers, bystanders, and teenage residents of the camp. The sequence of Breivik’s assault
occurred as follows:

• Breivik detonated a car bomb in Oslo’s government district using ammonium nitrate
and fuel oil (ANFO) explosives. The blast killed eight people and wounded at least 4
dozen more.

• He next drove nearly 2 hours to a youth summer camp on the island of Utoya. The
camp was sponsored by the youth organization of the ruling Norwegian Labor Party,
and hundreds of youths were in attendance. Breivik was disguised as a policeman.

• When Breivik arrived on the island, he announced that he was a police officer who
was following up on the bombing in Oslo. As people gathered around him, he drew
his weapons and began shooting.

• Using a carbine and semi-automatic handgun, Breivik methodically shot scores of

attendees on Utgya, most of them teenagers. The attack lasted for approximately 90
minutes and ended when police landed on the island and accepted Breivik’s
surrender.

The Breivik case illustrates how the lone wolf scenario involves an individual who
believes in a certain ideology but who is not acting on behalf of an organized group. These
individuals tend to exhibit a relatively Jow degree of criminal skill while carrying out their
assault.

CASE 2: Theodore “Ted” Kaczynski

Using a medium degree of criminal sophistication, many terrorists have been able to
remain active for long periods of time without being captured by security agents. Some enter
into “retirement” during this time, whereas others remain at least sporadically active. An
example of the latter profile is Theodore “Ted” Kaczynski, popularly known as the
Unabomber. The term Unabomber was derived from the FBI’s designation of his case as
UNABOM during its investigation of his activities.
In May 1978, Kaczynski began constructing and detonating a series of bombs
directed against corporations and universities. His usual practice was to send the devices
through the mail disguised as business parcels, Examples of his attacks include the
following:

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 DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION
Mabini Street, Tagum City
Davao del Norte
Telefax: (084)655-9591 Local 120

• A bomb caught fire inside a mail bag aboard a Boeing 727, It had been rigged with a
barometric trigger to explode at a certain altitude.

• A package bomb exploded inside the home of the president of United Airlines,
injuring him.

• A letter bomb exploded at Vanderbilt University, injuring a secretary. It had been

addressed to the chair of the computer science department,

• A University of California, Berkeley, professor was Severely injured when a pipe

bomb he found in the faculty room exploded.

• Two University of Michigan scholars were injured when a package bomb exploded at
4 professor’s home. The bomb had been designed to look like a manuscript for a
book.

• An antipersonnel bomb exploded in the parking lot behind a computer rental

store, killing the store’s owner.

During an 18-year period, Ted Kaczynski was responsible for the detonation of more
than 15 bombs around the country, killing 3 people and injuring 22 more (some very
seriously). He was arrested in his Montana cabin in April 1996. Kaczynski was sentenced in
April 1998 to four consecutive life terms plus 30 years.

CASE 3: Ramzi Yousef

Involving a high degree of criminal sophistication, some terrorist attacks are the work
of individuals who can be described as masters of their criminal enterprise. The following
case illustrates this concept.
On February 26, 1993, Ramzi Yousef detonated a bomb in a parking garage
beneath Tower One of the World Trade Center in New York City. The bomb was a mobile
truck bomb that Yousef and an associate had constructed in New Jersey from a converted
Ford Econoline van. It was of a fairly simple design but extremely powerful. The detonation
occurred as follows:
The critical moment came at 12:17 and 37 seconds. One of the fuses burnt to its end
and ignited the gunpowder in an Atlas Rockmaster blasting cap. In a split second the cap

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 DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION
Mabini Street, Tagum City
Davao del Norte
Telefax: (084)655-9591 Local 120

exploded with a pressure of around 15,000 lbs per square inch, igniting in turn the first nitro-
glycerin container of the bomb, which erupted with a pressure of about 150,000 Ibs per
square inch—the equivalent of about 10,000 atmospheres. In turn, the nitro-glycerin ignited
cardboard boxes containing a witches’ brew of urea pellets and sulphuric acid.

According to investigators and other officials, Yousef’s objective was to topple Tower
One onto Tower Two “like a pair of dominoes,”” release a cloud of toxic gas, and thus
achieve a very high death toll.
Ramzi Yousef, apparently born in Kuwait and reared in Pakistan, was an activist
educated in the United Kingdom. His education was interrupted during the Soviet war in
Afghanistan when he apparently “spent several months in Peshawar [Pakistan] in training
camps funded by Osama bin Laden learning bomb-making skills.” After the war, Yousef
returned to school in the United Kingdom and received a Higher National Diploma in
computer-aided electrical engineering.
In the summer of 1991, Ramzi Yousef returned to the training camps in Peshawar for
additional training in electronics and explosives. He arrived in New York City in September
1992 and shortly thereafter began planning to carry out a significant attack, having selected
the World Trade Center as his target. Yousef established contacts with former associates
already in the New York area and eventually became close to Muhammed Salameh, who
assisted in the construction of the bomb. They purchased chemicals and other bombmaking
components, stored them in a rented locker, and assembled the bomb in an apartment in
Jersey City. They apparently tested considerably scaled-down versions of the bomb several
times. After the attack, Yousef boarded a flight at JFK Airport and flew to Pakistan.
This case is a good example of the technical skill and criminal sophistication of some
terrorists. Ramzi Yousef had connections with well-funded terrorists, was a sophisticated
bomb maker, knew how to obtain the necessary components in a foreign country, was very
adept at evasion, and obviously planned his actions in meticulous detail. As a postscript,
Ramzi Yousef remained very active among bin Laden’s associates, and his travels within the
movement took him far afield, including trips to Thailand and the Philippines. In an example
of international law enforcement cooperation, he was eventually captured in Pakistan in
February 1995 and sent to the United States to stand trial for the bombing. Yousef was tried,
convicted, and sentenced to serve at least 240 years in prison.

Understanding Extremism: The Foundation of Terrorism

An important step toward defining terrorism is to develop an understanding of the
sources of terrorism. To identify them, one must first understand the important role of
extremism as a primary feature of all terrorist behavior.
Behind each incident of terrorist violence is some deeply held belief system that has
motivated perpetrators. Such systems are at their core, extremist systems characterized by
intolerance. One must keep in mind, however, that though terrorism is a violent expression
of these beliefs, it is by no means the only possible manifestation of extremism. On a scale
of activist behavior, extremists can engage in such benign expressions as sponsoring
debates or publishing newspapers. They might also engage in vandalism and other
disruptions of the normal routines of their enemies. Though intrusive and often illegal, these
are examples of political expression that cannot be construed as terrorist acts.

Defining Extremism
Political Extremism refers to taking a political idea to its limits, regardless of
unfortunate repercussions, impracticalities, arguments, and feelings to the contrary, and with
the intention not only to confront, but to eliminate opposition… Intolerance toward all views
other than one’s own.

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 DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION
Mabini Street, Tagum City
Davao del Norte
Telefax: (084)655-9591 Local 120

Extremism is a precursor to terrorism - it is an overarching belief system that is used

to by terrorist to justify their violent behavior. Extremism is characterized by what a person’s
belief are as well as how a person expresses his or her beliefs. Thus, no matter how
offensive or reprehensible one’s thoughts or words are, they are not by themselves acts of
terrorism. Only persons who violently act out their extremist beliefs are labeled terrorists.
An example illustrate this point:
First, an example of extremist behavior. Daniel and Philip Berrigan were well-known
members of the Roman Catholic pacifist left and were leaders in the antiwar and antinuclear
movements in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s. What they believed in was an
uncompromising commitment to pacifism. How they expressed their beliefs was by
committing a series of symbolic, and often illegal, protest actions. During such action on may
17, 1968, they and seven other Catholic men and women entered the Baltimore Selective
Service Board, stole Selective Service classification forms, took them outside to a parking
lot, and burned several hundred of the documents with a homemade, napalm-like gelled
mixture of gasoline and soap flakes. This was certainly extremist behavior, but it falls short of
terrorism.

The American Context: Defining Terrorism in the United States

The United States has not adopted a single definition of terrorism as a matter of
government policy, instead relying on definitions that are developed from time to time by
government agencies. The following definitions are a sample of the official approach.
✓ (US Department of Defense) Terrorism – “the unlawful use of, or threatened use,
of force or violence against individuals or property to coerce and intimidate
governments or societies, often to achieve political, religious, or ideological
objectives.”
✓ (US Code) Terrorism – as illegal violence that attempts to “intimidate or coerce a
civilian population; influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion;
or affect the conduct of a government by assassination or kidnapping.
✓ (FBI) Terrorism – “the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property
to intimidate or coerce a Government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof,
in furtherance of political or social objectives.”
✓ (State Department) – “premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated
against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents, usually
intended to influence an audience.

Using these definitions, common elements can be combined to construct a composite

American definition:

“Terrorism is a premeditated and unlawful act in which groups or

agents of some principal engage in a threatened or actual use of force or
violence against human or property targets. These groups or agents engage in
this behavior, intending the purposeful intimidation of governments or people
to affect policy or behavior, with an underlying political objective.”

Defining Terrorist Activity

Terrorist activity is designed to make a statement. This activity is a form of
propaganda because the terrorist knows that the media will cover sensational and tragic
events. Media coverage serves as a venue for expressing not only what physically can be
done but also what will likely affect those who view the activity psychologically. Terrorist
activity takes many forms, including assassinations, bombings, arson, sabotage, hostage
taking, property damage, and anarchy. According to Gurr’s empirical analyses as cited by
White, most terrorist activities last 18 months from the onset of violence. Preparation
behind a terrorist activity may go on for months, if not years, before the actual first incident
occurs. It is important that the law enforcement community takes note of this, because law

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enforcement has traditionally been reactive to events. With terrorist-related activity, if one
is not proactive the community can be adversely affected. kThe fact is that many agencies
have been gathering information on many activities classified under various other guises,
such as labor movements, anarchy, social unrest, and anti-civil rights actions. The FBI
does not measure criminal terrorism, but it has gathered information on numerous
reported hate crimes since the 1990s. Looking back, is it possible that some of these
crimes could have been viewed as terrorist activity then? Can they be viewed as such
even now? What is a working definition of terrorist activity? The U.S. Department of State
defines terrorist activity in section 212(a)(3)(B)8 of the Immigration and Nationality Act as
follows:
(ii) TERRORIST ACTIVITY DEFINED—As used in this Act, the term “terrorist activity”
means any activity which is unlawful under the laws of the place where it is committed (or
which, if committed in the United States, would be unlawful under the laws of the United
States or any State) and which involves any of the following:
• (l)The hijacking or sabotage of any conveyance (including an aircraft, vessel, or
vehicle)
• (II) The seizing or detaining, and threatening to kill, injure, or continue to detain,
another individual in order to compel a third person (including a governmental
organization) to do or abstain from doing any act as an explicit or implicit condition
for the release of the individual seized or detained.
• (III) A violent attack upon an internationally protected person (as defined in section
1116(b)(4) of title 18, United States Code) or upon the liberty of such a person
• (IV) An assassination
• (V) The use of any:
(a) Biological agent, chemical agent, or nuclear weapon or device, or
(b) Explosive or firearm (other than for mere personal monetary gain), with intent to
endanger, directly or indirectly, the safety of one or more individuals or to cause
substantial damage to property
• (V) A threat, attempt, or conspiracy to do any of the foregoing

Although some of these activities appear to be an obvious fit for terrorist activity,
personnel on the front line—law enforcement and analytical personnel—should not
overlook anything as a potential terrorist activity. When law enforcement strips down the
above definition, most of the activities it covers appear to be crimes at nearly every
state level. It does not take the actions of an entire group to justify terrorist activity; it
only takes one. Just like a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle, at the beginning the picture
appears confusing, but as the pieces are put together it becomes more obvious. Lose
one piece and the picture is never completed. Analysts deal with the pieces right out of
the box, so it is important to maintain them and arrange them without delay. Each piece
of information is one piece of the puzzle. Work the information and you will be more
successful at linking the pieces and less likely to overlook data as well as remaining
open minded in your review of the data. Work the crimes, you will find yourself working

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to fit into the elements of the crime and striving to meet legal guidelines in your
reviewing of data rather than remaining open minded. The elements of a crime can be
viewed as a subliminal bias, which may cause delays in the linking of the pieces. One
piece of the puzzle that must be identified is the form of terrorism or terrorist activity
being investigated.

Terrorist Victimization: Victims of Terrorism

Victimization can be understood as the action of singling someone out for cruel or
unjust treatment. This section explores terrorist victimization, for example, the factors that
come into play when targeting the future victims of a planned terrorist attack.
Terrorist attacks can be broadly categorized into two categories: focused and
indiscriminate. Historically, terrorism has largely fallen under the former category. As noted
earlier, terrorist attacks were used as an instrument for politically motivated action, which
targeted specific members of governments or political actors for the purposes of attaining a
particular political aim. Such attacks involved some element of participation in the conflict,
albeit indirectly, between the terrorist group and the adversary.
However, contemporary terrorism is characterized by an increasing frequency and
magnitude of indiscriminate violence. Victims of terrorist attacks are not usually specifically
selected on the basis of their individual characteristics, but are “chance” victims who
happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. These victims serve as an instrument
designed to influence third party actors. It is partly this element of unpredictability and
randomness of victim selection that gives terrorism its modern power—“a power enhanced
manifold by the media’s display and replay of acts of victimization”. This evolution of the
focus of terrorism reflects a shift from individual terror to a dimension of mass murder and
psychological warfare. In this sense, terrorism attempts to coerce a population and/or its
leadership by inciting fear of being hurt.

PRIMARY (DIRECT) VICTIMS OF TERRORIST ACTS OR CAMPAIGNS*

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➢ Those who are killed by terrorist kidnappers, hostage-takers, gunmen or bombers. •

➢ Those who are injured, mutilated or mentally tortured by terrorists but ultimately
released or liberated.
➢ Those who are wounded or die in a counter-terrorist rescue operation at the hands
of terrorists or armed first responders.
➢ Those who become mentally or physically handicapped or die (commit suicide) in a
causal sequel to one or several terrorist events in which they were involved or of
which they were direct witnesses. *Alex Schmid (2006).

“Magnitudes and Focus of Terrorist Victimization.” In Uwe Ewald and Ksenija Turkovi´c, eds. Large-
Scale Victimisation as a Potential Source of Terrorist Activities, IOS Press, p. 4

Although terrorist attacks are indeed serious crimes, it is important to remember that
terrorist victimization differs from criminal victimization in that the former has an inherent
political dimension. This political dimension may also encapsulate ideological or religious
aims. For instance, the direct victim of a terrorist attack is rarely the ultimate target of the
violence. Rather, the act of singling out a target serves as an amplifier to convey a broader
message and to influence a wider audience, such as an adversary State of the terrorist
organization. An important goal of terrorism is for mass audiences to pay attention to the
messages being conveyed, and to undergo a sense of terror and panic as a result of the
terrorist attack. The terror invoked in individuals is further amplified by a process of
identification with the victim, a fear that “it could have been me”. The victims of terrorist
attacks therefore serve as symbols of shared group or class characteristics, which in turn
form one basis for their selection as victims. In this sense, victims of terrorism serve as
instrumental targets.
By using violence, or the threat of violence, wider audiences are put in a state of
chronic fear or terror which takes a physical, psychological, social, political and economic toll
on society as a whole. This indirect method of combat can have several aims: to produce
disorientation and/or force their targets to comply with their demands (e.g., government); to
mobilize third party actors to act; or, to stir society and public opinion in order to change
attitudes or behaviours that benefit the interests of the perpetrators. Successful victimization
of sectors of society signals to the public at home and abroad that the State cannot protect
them effectively, and this sense of insecurity may be further exploited by violent extremist
organizations. The ability of terrorist organizations to manipulate wider audiences by the
public victimization of a few indirect victims in an environment that is media-rich has
transformed terrorism from a marginal mode of protest, blackmail and intimidation into a
major form of psychological warfare.

TEN TERRORIST AUDIENCES*

1. The adversary/-ies of the terrorist organization (usually one or several

governments)
2. The constituency/society of the adversary/-ies
3. The targeted direct victims and their families and friends
4. Others who have reason to fear that they might be the next targets
5. “Neutral” distant audiences
6. The supporting constituency of the terrorist organization
7. Potential sympathetic sectors of domestic and foreign audiences
8. Other terrorist groups rivalling for prominence
9. The terrorist and his or her organization
10. The media *

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Alex Schmid (2006). “Magnitudes and Focus of Terrorist Victimization.” In Uwe Ewald and Ksenija
Turkovi´c, eds. Large-Scale Victimisation as a Potential Source of Terrorist Activities, IOS Press, p. 4.

Types of Terrorism
✓ State Terrorism
Terrorism “from above” committed by governments against perceived
enemies. State terrorism can be directed externally against adversaries in
the international domain or internally against domestic enemies.
✓ Dissident Terrorism
Terrorism “from below” commited by nonstate movements and groups against
governments, ethnonational groups, religious groups, and other perceived
enemies.
✓ Religious Terrorism
Terrorism motivated by an absolute belief that another worldly power has
sanctioned and commanded – the application of terrorist violence for the
greater glory of the faith. Religious terrorism is usually conducted in defense
of what believers consider to be one true faith.
✓ Criminal Terrorism
Terrorism motivated by sheer profit or some amalgam of profit and politics.
Traditional organized criminal enterprises (such as the Italian Mafia and the
Japanese Yakuza) accumulate profits from criminal activity for personal
aggrandizement. Criminal-political enterprises (such as Colombia’s FARC
and Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tigers) accumulated profits to sustain their movement.
✓ International Terrorism
Terrorism that spills over onto the world’s stage. Targets are selected
because of their value as symbols of international interests, either within the
home country or across state boundaries.

The Political Violence Matrix

Experts have identifies and analyzed many terrorist environments. As readers will
learn in the chapters that follow, these environments include state, dissident, religious,
ideological, international, and criminal terrorism. One distinguishing feature within each
model is the relationship between the quality of force used by the terrorists and the
characteristics of the intended target of the attack. Figure 1.0 depicts how this
relationship (quality of force and target characteristics) often defines the type of conflict
involving the terrorist and victim.

Combatants, Noncombatants, and the Use of Force

Combatant and Noncombatant Targets

✓ Combatants – refers to conventional or unconventional adversaries who engage in
armed conflict as members of regular military or irregular guerilla fighting units.
✓ Noncombatants – civilians who have no connection to military or other security
forces.

There are, however, circumstances in which these definitional lines become blurred. For
example, in times of social unrest, civilians can become combatants. This has occurred
repeatedly in societies in which communal violence (civil war) breaks out between members
of ethnonational, ideological, or religious groups. Similarly, noncombatants can include off-
duty members of the military in nonwarfare environments. They become targets because of
their symbolic status.

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Indiscriminate and Discriminate Force

✓ Indiscriminate force – is the application of force against a target without attempting
to limit the levelof force or the degree of destruction of the target.
✓ Discriminate force – is a more surgical use of limited force.

Indiscriminate force is considered to be acceptable when used against combatants in a

warfare environment. However, it is regularly condemned when used in any non-warfare
environment regardless of the characteristics of the victim. Discriminate force is considered
to be a moral use of force when it is applied against specific targets with the intention to limit
so-called collateral damage, or unintended destruction and casualties,

Self-Help: You can also refer to the sources below to help you further
understand the lesson

Martin, G. (2013). Understanding Terrorism. Challenges, Perspectives, and Issues. Sage

Publications, Inc. United States of America.

Let’s Check

Let us try the following activities to check your understanding in this

unit.

Activity1. Identification. In the space provided, write the term/s being asked in the
following statements: (One point each)

______________1. Terrorism motivated by an absolute belief that another worldly power

has sanctioned and commanded – the application of terrorist violence for the greater glory
of the faith.
_______________2. Terrorism motivated by sheer profit or some amalgam of profit and
politics.
_______________3. Refers to conventional or unconventional adversaries who engage in
armed conflict as members of regular military or irregular guerilla fighting units.
_______________4. Is the application of force against a target without attempting to limit
the levelof force or the degree of destruction of the target.
_______________5. The taking a political idea to its limits, regardless of unfortunate
repercussions, impracticalities, arguments, and feelings to the contrary, and with the
intention not only to confront, but to eliminate opposition
_______________6. Encouraging, condoning, justifying, or supporting the commission of
a violent act to achieve political, ideological, religious, social, or economic goals.
_______________7. The belief that any violence, including war, is unjustifiable under any
circumstances, and that all disputes should be settled by peaceful means.
_______________8. Crimes that are made illegal by legislation.
______________9. The belief that any violence, including war, is unjustifiable under any
circumstances, and that all disputes should be settled by peaceful means.
______________10. These acts cannot be justified in civilized society, and they have no
acceptable qualities.

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Let’s Analyze

Let us try the following activities to know how deep your

understanding about the topics of this unit.

Activity 1. Develop your own definition of terrorism. (10 pts)

Activity 2: Is the use of political violence, a terrorism? Or freedom fighting?

Justify your answer. (10 pts)

Activity 3. Political violence: Mala Prohibita or Mala Inse? (20 pts)

✓ Mala probibita acts are “crimes that are made illegal by legislation.” These acts are
illegal because society has declared them to be wrong; they are not inherently
immoral, wicked. or evil. Examples include laws prohibiting gambling and prostitution,
which are considered to be moral prohibitions against socially unacceptable
behaviors rather than prohibitions of fundamental evils.

✓ Mala in se acts are crimes “that are immoral or wrong in themselves.” These acts
cannot be justified in civilized society, and they have no acceptable qualities. For
example, premeditated murder and forcible rape are mala in se crimes. They will
never be legalized.

QUESTION:
1. Are terrorist methods are fundamentally evil?

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2. Are not some causes worth fighting for? Killing for? Dying for?

In a Nutshell
In this part you are going to jot down what you have learned in this
unit. The said statement of yours could be in a form of concluding
statements, arguments, or perspective you have drawn from this lesson.

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Q&A List
In this section you are going to list what boggles you in this unit.
You may indicate your questions but noting you have to indicate the
answers after your question is being raised and clarified. You can write
your questions below.

Questions/Issues Answers
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

KEYWORDS INDEX

Extremism Just War Doctrine Terrorism Victims of

Terrorism

International Terrorism Modern Era and the Terrorism and Violent

War on Terrorism Criminal Skill Extremism

French Revolution Pacifism Terrorist Activity

Foundation of Terrorism Political Violence Types of

Matrix Terrorism

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Big Picture in Focus: ULO b. Explain the causes of terrorism. Identify the
factors that explain why individuals and groups choose to engage in
terrorist violence and explore and critically assess the sources of
ideological belief systems and activism and the reasons such activism
sometimes results in terrorist violence.

Metalanguage
The following are terms to be remembered as we go through in studying this
unit, please refer to these definitions as supplement in case you will encounter difficulty
in understanding the basic concepts of this unit.

1. Left wing – in politics, left refers to people and groups that have liberal views. That
generally means they support progressive reforms, especially those seeking greater
social and economic quality. They are Liberals, Socialists, Democrats and
Communist.
2. Politics – “affairs of the cities” is the set of activities that are associated with making
decisions in groups, or other forms of power relations between individuals, such as
the distribution of resources or status.
3. Political violence – is violence which is perpetrated by people or governments in
order to achieve political goals. It can include violence which is used by a state
against other states (war) or it can describe violence which is used against non-state
actors (police brutality, genocide).
4. Right wing – refers to people or groups that have conservative views. That generally
means they are disposed to preserving existing conditions and institutions, or, they
want to restore traditional ones and limit change. They are Conservatives,
Nationalists and Republicans.

Essential Knowledge
The causes of terrorism appear to be varied. There does not appear to be one lone
factor that leads people to engage in acts of terror. Scholars have categorized motivations
for terrorism to include psychological, ideological, and strategic

❖ Causes of Terrorism

✓ Psychological Perspective
Those who engage in terrorism may do so for purely personal reasons, based on
their own psychological state of mind. Their motivation may be nothing more than hate or the
desire for power. For example, in 1893 Auguste Vaillant bombed the French Chamber of
Deputies. Prior to his conviction and subsequent execution Vaillant explained his motivation
in terms of hate for the middle classes. Vaillant wanted to spoil the sense of economic and
social success, by tainting it with his violence. In many respects this terrorist is interested in
getting attention from others for his or her act, rather than some grand ideological or
strategic goal.
Some experts argue that the decision to engage in political violence is frequently an
outcome of significant events in individual lives that give rise to antisocial feelings. They
actively seek improvement in their environment or desire redress and revenge from the
perceived cause of their condition. Very often, psychological motivation for terrorism derives
from the terrorist’s personal dissatisfaction with his life and accomplishments. He finds his

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ultimate reason in dedicated terrorist action. Terrorists tend to project their own antisocial
motivations onto others, creating a polarized “we versus they” outlook. They attribute only
evil motives to anyone outside their own group. This enables the terrorist dehumanize their
victims and removes any sense of ambiguity from their minds. The resultant clarity of
purpose appeals to those who crave violence to relieve their consent anger.

✓ Ideological Perspective
Ideology is defined as the beliefs, values, and/or principles by which a group
identifies its particular aims and goals. Ideology may encompass religion or political
philosophies and programs. Examples of terrorist groups motivated by ideology include the
Irish Republican Army (IRA), in Sri Lanka the Liberation Tigers of Tamal Eelam (LTTE), and
the Bader Meinhoff in Germany. The IRA is motivated by a political program to oust the
United Kingdom from Ireland and unite Ireland under one flag. Similarly the LTTE seek to
establish a separate state for their people, the Tamals in Sri Lanka. Finally, the Bader
Meinhoff was a terrorist group made up of middle-class adults who opposed capitalism and
sought to destroy capitalist infrastructure in Germany.

✓ Strategic Perspective
Terrorism is sometimes seen as a logical extension of the failure of politics. When
people seek redress of their grievances through government, but fail to win government’s
attention to their plight, they may resort to violence. From this viewpoint, terrorism is the
result of a logical analysis of the goals and objectives of a group, and their estimate of the
likelihood of gaining victory. If victory seems unlikely using more traditional means of
opposition, then one might calculate that terrorism is a better option. For example, in South
Africa the African National Congress only turned to the use of terrorism after political
avenues were explored and failed. Of course, not just individuals may feel let down by the
political process. States may use terrorists in the pursuit of their own strategic interests.
States may sponsor terrorist groups, especially when the objectives of the state and the
terrorist group are similar. For example, Libya used terrorists to explode a bomb aboard Pan
Am 103 flying from London to New York in 1988, allegedly in response to U.S. and British
bombing of Libya.

✓ Conclusion
It is impossible to say for sure what causes terrorism. A person’s psychological
make-up certainly will play a role, but to what extent is unclear. Some may come to
terrorism, not out of any love for violence, but rather to further their ideological goals. Others
may be motivated to use terror simply because it appears to be a useful strategic alternative,
or may further the state’s objectives. Indeed, terrorism may occur for psychological,
ideological, and strategic grounds all at once. An individual may decide terrorism fits his or
her own view of the world—that it makes sense. A group may come to use terrorism
because it furthers and is supported by their ideology. Finally, groups or persons may use
terrorism because it fits with their strategic objectives and goals.

❖ Moral Justifications for Political Violence

Although not all extremists become terrorists, some do cross the line to engage in
terrorist violence. For them, terrorism is a calculated strategy. It is a specifically selected
method that is used to further their cause. Significantly, the terrorist act is different in that the
violence employed is not only in pursuit of some long-range political goal but is designed to
have far-reaching psychological repercussions on a particular target audience.
Affecting a target audience is an important reason for political violence. Dissident
terrorists – as compared with state terrorists – are small bands of violent subversives who
could never defeat a professional a professional army or strong government, so they resort
to high-profile acts of violence that have an effect on a large audience. It is instructive to

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review the basic motives of those who commit acts of terrorist violence. To facilitate reader’s
critical understanding of the motives of terrorists, the following four motives are reviewed:
o Moral convictions of terrorists
o Simplified definitions of good and evil
o Seeking utopia
o Codes of self-sacrifice

✓ Moral Convictions of Terrorist

Moral conviction refers to terrorists’ unambiguous certainty of the righteousness of
their cause; to them, there are no gray areas. The goals and objectives of their movement
are considered to be principled beyond reproach and their methods absolutely justifiable.
This conviction can arise in several environments, including the following two settings:
First, a group of people can conclude that they have been morally wronged and that
a powerful, immoral, and evil enemy is arrayed against them. This enemy is considered to
be adept a betrayal, exploitation, violence, and repression against the championed group.
These conclusions have some legitimacy, especially when a history of exploitation has been
documented. This historical evidence is identified and interpreted as being the source of the
group’s modern problems.
Second, moral conviction may arise is when a group or a people conclude that it
possesses an inherent moral superiority over its enemy. This can be derived from ideological
convictions, ethnonational values, or religious beliefs. From this perspective, the cause is
virtually holy; in the case of religious beliefs, it is holy. A sense of moral “purity” becomes the
foundation for the simplification of good and evil. In this setting, extremists decide that no
compromise is possible and that terrorism is a legitimate option.

✓ Simplified Definitions of Good and Evil

Revolutionaries universally conclude that their cause is honorable, their methods
are justifiable and their opponents are representations of implacable evil. They arrive at this
conclusion in innumerable ways, often – as in the case of Marxists – after devoting
considerable intellectual energy to political analysis. Nevertheless, their final analysis is
uncomplicated. Our cause is just, and the enemy’s is unjust. Once this line has been
clearly drawn between good and evil, the methods used in the course of the struggle are
justified by the ennobled goals and objectives of the cause.

✓ Seeking Utopia
The book Utopia was written by the English writer Sir Thomas More in the 16 th
century. It was a fictional work that described an imaginary island with a society having an
ideal political and social system. Countless philosophers, including political and religious
writers, have since created their own visions of the perfect society. Terrorists likewise
envision some form of utopia, although for many terrorists, this can simply mean the
destruction of the existing order. For these nihilist dissidents, any system is preferable to
the existing one, and its destruction alone is justifiable goal.

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The question is, what kind of utopia do terrorists seek? This depends on their belief
system. For example, religious terrorist seek to create a God-inspired society on earth that
reflects the commandments, morality, and values of their religious faith. Political terrorists
similarly define their ideal society according to their ideological perspective. A comparison
of left-wing and right-wing goals on this point is instructive. Radical leftists are future
oriented and idealistic, while reactionary rightists are nostalgic. Radical leftists seek to
reform or destroy an existing system prior to building a new and just society. The existing
system is perceived to be unjust, corrupt, and oppressive toward a championed group. In
comparison, reactionaries on the right seek to return to a time of past glory, which in their
belief system has been lost or usurped by an enemy group or culture. Reactionaries
perceive that there is an immediate threat to their value system and special status; their
sense of utopia is to consolidate this status.
Regardless of which belief system is adopted by terrorists, they uniformly accept
the proposition that the promised good (a utopia) outweighs their present actions, no
matter how violent those actions are. The revolution will bring utopia after a period of trial
and tribulation, so that the end justifies the means. This type of reasoning is particularly
common among religious, ethnonationalist, and ideological terrorists.

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✓ Codes of Self-sacrifice
Terrorists invariably believe that they are justified in their actions. They have faith in the
justness of their cause and live their lives accordingly. Many terrorists consequently adopt
“codes of self-sacrifice” that are at the root of their everyday lives. They believe that these
codes are superior codes of living and that those who follow the code are superior to those
who do not. The code accepts a basic truth and applies it to everyday life. This truth usually
has a religious, ethnonational, or ideological foundation. Any actions taken within the
accepted parameters of these codes—even terrorist actions—are justified, because the
code “cleanses” the true believer.
A good example of ideological codes of self-sacrifice is found on the fringe left among
the first anarchists. Many anarchists did not simply believe in revolution; they lived the
revolution.
They crafted a lifestyle that was completely consumed by the cause. Among some
anarchists, an affinity for death became part of the revolutionary lifestyle. The Russian
anarchist Serge Nechavev wrote in Revolutionary Catechism,

The revolutionary is a man committed. He has neither personal interests nor

sentiments, attachments, property, nor even a name. Everything in him is
subordinated to a single exclusive interest, a single thought, a single passion: the
revohution.

Self-Help: You can also refer to the sources below to help you further
understand the lesson

Martin, G. (2013). Understanding Terrorism. Challenges, Perspectives, and Issues. Sage

Publications, Inc. United States of America.

Let’s Check

Let us try the following activities to check your understanding in this unit.

Activity1. Identification. In the space provided, write the term/s being asked in the
followingstatements: (One point each)

_______________1. This is under the moral justifications for political violence which states
that terrorist have faith in the justness of their cause and live their life accordingly.

_______________2. It is a fictional work that describes an imaginary island with a

society having an ideal political and social system.

_______________3. Revolutionaries universally conclude that their cause is

honorable, their methods are justifiable and their opponents are representations of
implacable evil.

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_______________4. This is the beliefs, values, and/or principles by which a group

identifies its particular aims and goals.

_______________5. When people seek redress of their grievances through

government, but fail to win government’s attention to their plight, they may resort to
violence. This is under what perspective?
_______________6. If victory seems unlikely using more traditional means of
opposition, then one might calculate that terrorism is a better option. This is under
what perspective?

_______________7. Under the justifications for political violence, one justification

stated that they believe that these codes are superior codes of living and that those who
follow the code are superior to those who do not.

_______________8. He is the most significant sponsors of Sunni Islamic terrorist

groups.

_______________9. The revolution will bring utopia after a period of trial and
tribulation, so that the end justifies the means. True or False?

_______________10. The set of activities that are associated with making decisions in
groups, or other forms of power relations between individuals, such as the distribution of
resources or status.

Let’s Analyze

Let us try this activity to know how deep your understanding about
the topics of this unit.

Activity 1. Answer the questions after reading this article.

Profile of a Terrorist: Osama bin Laden

Below is material about Osama Bin Ladin. The first is from a U.S. Department of
State publication, and the second from an interview broadcast on ABC.

From U.S. Department of State, Patterns of Global Terrorism, 1997

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Telefax: (084)655-9591 Local 120

Usama [Osama] bin Muhammad bin Awad bin Ladin is one of the most
significant sponsors of Sunni Islamic terrorist groups. The youngest son of Saudi
construction magnate Muhammad Bin Ladin, Usama joined the Afghan
resistance almost immediately after the Soviet invasion in December 1979. He
played a significant role in financing, recruiting, transporting, and training Arab
nationals who volunteered to fight in Afghanistan. During the war, Bin Ladin
founded al-Qaida—the Base—to serve as an operational hub, predominantly for
like-minded Sunni Islamic extremists. The Saudi government revoked his
citizenship in 1994 and his family officially disowned him. He had moved to
Sudan in 1991, but international pressure on that government forced him to
move to Afghanistan in 1996.

In August 1996, Bin Ladin issued a statement outlining his organization's goals:
drive U.S. forces from the Arabian Peninsula, overthrow the Government of
Saudi Arabia, “liberate” Muslim holy sites in “Palestine,” and support Islamic
revolutionary groups around the world. To these ends, his organization has sent
trainers throughout Afghanistan as well as to Tajikistan, Bosnia, Chechnya,
Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen and has trained fighters from numerous other
countries including the Philippines, Egypt, Libya, and Eritrea. Bin Ladin also has
close associations with the leaders of several Islamic terrorist groups and
probably has aided in creating new groups since the mid-1980s. He has trained
their troops, provided safehaven and financial support, and probably helps them
with other organizational matters. Since August 1996, bin Ladin has been very
vocal in expressing his approval of and intent to use terrorism. He claimed
responsibility for trying to bomb U.S. soldiers in Yemen in late 1992 and for
attacks on them in Somalia in 1993, and reports suggest his organization aided
the Egyptian al-Gama’at al-Islamiyya in its assassination attempt on Egyptian
President Mubarak in Ethiopia in 1995. In November 1996 he called the 1995
and 1996 bombings against US military personnel in Saudi Arabia “praiseworthy
acts of terrorism” but denied having any participation in those bombings. At the
same time, he called for further attacks against US military personnel, saying: “If
someone can kill an American soldier, it is better than wasting time on other
matters.”

Below is an interview with Osama bin Laden by ABC’s John Miller

(conducted on May 28, 1998). The interview presents a number of different
insights concerning the origins of terrorism (such as the psychological,
ideological, and strategic). You will note the extent to which bin Laden
attempts to speak on behalf of all of Islam—which of course in reality he
does not.

JOHN MILLER Mr. bin Laden, to Americans you are an interesting figure: A man
who comes from a background of wealth and comforts who ended up fighting on
the front lines. Many Americans would think that’s unusual.

OSAMA BIN LADEN Thanks be to Allah. It is hard for one to understand if the
person does not understand Islam. In our religion we believe that Allah created
us to worship him. Allah is the one who created us and blessed us with this
religion, and orders us to carry out the holy struggle jihad to raise the word of
Allah above the words of the unbelievers.

We believe this is a form of worship we must follow despite our financial ability.

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Telefax: (084)655-9591 Local 120

This is a response to Westerners and secularists in the Arab world who claim
the reason for the awakening and the return to Islam is financial difficulties. This
is untrue. In fact, the return of the people to Islam is a blessing from Allah, and
their return is a need for Allah.

This is not a strange issue. During the days of jihad, thousands of young men
who were well off financially left the Arabian Peninsula and other areas and
joined the fighting—hundreds of them were killed in Afghanistan, Bosnia, and
Chechnya. We pray Allah grants them martyr status.

JOHN MILLER You have been described as the “World's Most Wanted Man.”
There is word that the American government intends to put a price on your head
in the millions for your capture. Do you think about that? Does it worry you?

OSAMA BIN LADEN Praise be to Allah. It does not worry us what the Americans
think. What worries us is pleasing Allah. The Americans impose themselves on
everyone who believes in his religion and his rights. They accuse our children in
Palestine of being terrorists. Those children that have no weapons and have not
even reached maturity. At the same time they defend a country with its airplanes
and tanks, and the state of the Jews, that has a policy to destroy the future of
these children.

Clinton stands after Qana and defends the horrible massacre that severed the
heads of children and killed about 100 persons.∗ Clinton stands and claims
Israel has the right to defend itself. We do not worry about American opinion, or
the fact they place prices on our heads.

We as Muslims believe that our fate is set. If the whole world decides to get
together and kill us before our time has come, we will not die, our livelihood is
set. No matter how much pressure America places on the regime in Riyadh to
freeze our assets and to prevent people from contributing to this great cause, we
rely on Allah.

QUESTIONS:

1. What insight or understanding does the psychological perspective give

us about this terrorist? (10 PTS)

2. What insight or understanding does the ideological perspective give

us? (10 PTS)

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Telefax: (084)655-9591 Local 120

3. What insight or understanding does the strategic perspective give us?

(10 PTS)

Activity 2. In your own perspective, what is/are the cause/s of terrorism?

(20 PTS)

In a Nutshell
In this part you are going to jot down what you have learned in this
unit. The said statement of yours could be in a form of concluding
statements, arguments, or perspective you have drawn from this lesson.

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Q&A List
In this section you are going to list what boggles you in this unit.
You may indicate your questions but noting you have to indicate the
answers after your question is being raised and clarified. You can write
your questions below.

Questions/Issues Answers
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

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KEYWORDS INDEX

❖ Causes of Terrorism Political violence

Left wing Politics

❖ Moral Justifications for Political Right wing

Violence

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