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#1
10-03-2005, 04:44 AM
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Here\'s a word that gets used a lot
terrorist.
What does it mean? How do you define terrorist? The follow up which i'd really prefer people get into after they come up with one for terrorist, how do you define freedom fighter? I've seen it bandied around a lot and no two people mean quite the same thing. 
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#2
10-03-2005, 05:49 AM
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Re: Here\'s a word that gets used a lot
[ QUOTE ]
terrorist. What does it mean? How do you define terrorist? The follow up which i'd really prefer people get into after they come up with one for terrorist, how do you define freedom fighter? I've seen it bandied around a lot and no two people mean quite the same thing. [/ QUOTE ] There is no universally accepted definition. People on this board seem to have come to a rough consensus that (chiefly non-state) actors that deliberately target civilians militarily for political causes are terrorists.
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#3
10-03-2005, 05:54 AM
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Re: Here\'s a word that gets used a lot
A terrorist is someone who uses fear in order to control the thoughts and actions of a large group of people.
While this term certainly applies to Al-Qaeda, Hammas and other Islamic fundamentalist groups, it can certainly apply to the current Bush administration, although certainly not with the same connotation with which it is often used.
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#4
10-03-2005, 06:28 AM
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Re: Here\'s a word that gets used a lot
I'd say a terrorist is an individual who (illegally) attacks a state to further his own political agenda, usually in a desperate reaction to unjust oppression by a (foreign) government or governments.
Mack
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#5
10-03-2005, 06:51 AM
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Re: Here\'s a word that gets used a lot
"usually in a desperate reaction to unjust oppression by a (foreign) government or governments."
That might or might not tend to be the case but I don't think it should be part of the defintion.
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#7
10-03-2005, 07:18 AM
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Re: Here\'s a word that gets used a lot
[ QUOTE ]
A terrorist is someone who uses fear in order to control the thoughts and actions of a large group of people. [/ QUOTE ] Does the fear have to be physical? Can the fear be, say, economic?
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#8
10-03-2005, 07:19 AM
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Re: Here\'s a word that gets used a lot
"what is non-state? "
Groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with/under the control of/part of the security apparatus of a recognised government? "why?" Who knows. It all seems a bit arbitrary to me.
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#9
10-03-2005, 07:21 AM
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Re: Here\'s a word that gets used a lot
[ QUOTE ]
"usually in a desperate reaction to unjust oppression by a (foreign) government or governments." That might or might not tend to be the case but I don't think it should be part of the defintion. [/ QUOTE ] If I don't put that, then by default I automatically condemn their activities as without justification. I'm Not sure I can tar all terrorists with the same brush, what about the terrorists who went on to win independence for the USA from the British Empire, I say their actions were justified, so I need that qualification in my definition. All in my honest opinion of course. Mack
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#10
10-03-2005, 07:26 AM
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Re: Here\'s a word that gets used a lot
[ QUOTE ]
I'm Not sure I can tar all terrorists with the same brush, what about the terrorists who went on to win independence for the USA from the British Empire, I say their actions were justified, so I need that qualification in my definition [/ QUOTE ] But of course, this could be because you agree with their objective. In general those who agree with the objective of the terrorist find it hard to condemn them -- hence the muted condemnation of Palestinian terrorists by those Palestinians who consider them freedom fighters. Due to the negative connotation of teh word terrorist, in addition to the actions, you must consider whether your agree with their objectives. If you find yourself agreeing (as you do with the American movements apparently) it becomes hard to condemn. IMO, there is a fine line between many terrorists and freedom fighters. It is clearly a matter of perspective.
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