The definition of terrorism

Book Chapter (2021)
Author(s)

S.R.M. Miller (TU Delft - Ethics & Philosophy of Technology)

Jonas Feltes (TU Delft - Ethics & Philosophy of Technology)

Research Group
Ethics & Philosophy of Technology
Copyright
© 2021 S.R.M. Miller, J. Feltes
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.4337/9781800373075.00009
More Info
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Publication Year
2021
Language
English
Copyright
© 2021 S.R.M. Miller, J. Feltes
Research Group
Ethics & Philosophy of Technology
Pages (from-to)
24-34
ISBN (electronic)
9781800373075
Reuse Rights

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Abstract

This chapter argues for the following definition of terrorism. Terrorism is a strategy that: 1. Consists in state or non-state actors deliberately performing acts of violence aimed at (directly or indirectly) seriously harming persons who are not military combatants, human rights violators or violent revolutionaries; 2. Consists of violent actions that ought to be criminalized; 3. Is an intended means of terrorizing the members of some social, economic, ethnic, political, etc., group in order to achieve a political purpose; 4. Relies on the violence receiving a degree of publicity, at least to the extent necessary to engender widespread fear in the target group.