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| Definitions
of Terrorism Identifying the Problems and "Doing the Checkables" Why is the definition of terrorism so important? What are the implications of differing definitions? Author: Jonathan B. Smith Michigan
State University 's School of Criminal Justice Importance of Definition of Terrorism The importance of framing a definition of terrorism lays first and foremost in the title of the class "Issues in Terrorism." How can one expect to explore issues in terrorism without first providing the context for its use? The Scientific Method was developed to help scientist develop reliable, consistent and a non-arbitrary representation of the world. The process helps to minimize individual perspectives and prejudices from tainting the results of scientific testing. The method has four distinct steps:
Social Sciences, i.e. Criminal Justice, as well as, Physical Sciences are best practiced when the process of the Scientific Method is utilized in their study. There is no lab work anticipated during this course, so the Scientific Method may not be able to be applied in its strictest form. However, the process provides a good framework for highlighting the importance of developing an initial understanding of the definition of terrorism so the problems can be identified. Michael Scheurer in Imperial Hubris provided a very compelling rationale for helping to frame and solve intelligence problems, which he referred to as "doing the checkables," that can be used help to understand the need for a definition of terrorism in this case. Scheurer notes:
Gaining a good understanding of the range of possibilities and variables of the definitions of terrorism is a step in the process of "doing the checkables" before the "Issues in Terrorism" can be further explored. Implications of Differing Definitions The word terrorism has an emotionally disturbing connotation. It is a term that is used regularly by the media to help grab headlines and politicians to rally support for policy changes; that often include abuses of government power during counterterrorist operations (White, 2003:6). There is no doubt that the word terrorism has far more context and influence than the typical nine letter word. The indirect psychological impacts of terrorism are often far more damaging than the physical damage inflicted. Terrorism shakes its indirect victims to their core because it offers a real threat to their sense of security and overall confidence traditionally offered in a peace time civilized society (White, 2003:xii). It has often been said that "change is inevitable." This statement certainly applies to the definition of terrorism. Over the course of history, the meaning of terrorism has proven to be dynamic and elusive; subject to the vagaries of time, circumstance, and perspective. The famous philosopher Thomas Hobbes in Leviathan described the "state of nature" as one involving perpetual war and violence, punctuated with death and fear. Based upon Hobbes' "state of nature" it can be deduced that war and hostility are inevitable and terrorism is just a state of violence on the spectrum of conflict (White, 2004:13). Establishing a static definition of terrorism has proven elusive, even for the most learned scholars on the subject. In light of the importance placed upon the Scientific Method and "Doing the Checkables" above, it is important to note that there is no perfect definition for terrorism. The terms meaning is widely variable based upon social and historical circumstances. An important lesson learned from the differing definitions of terrorism in this module is that one should remain open minded and objective when studying the field of terrorism; lest we miss a key "checkable" in the analysis.
Scheurer, Michael. (2004). Imperial Hubris - Why the West is Losing the War on Terror. Washington, D.C.: Brassey's, Inc. White, J.R. (2003). Terrorism - An
Introduction. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.
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