Department of Criminal JusticeDepartment of Criminal Justice

California State University - BakersfieldCalifornia State University - Bakersfield

CRJU 477CRJU 477

Terrorism Terrorism

Dr. Abu-Lughod, Reem AliDr. Abu-Lughod, Reem Ali

Terrorism:Terrorism:

First ImpressionsFirst Impressions

In search of definitionIn search of definition

Al Qaeda: IdeologyAl Qaeda: Ideology

1.1. Symbolizing global terrorism in the 21Symbolizing global terrorism in the 21stst century century

2.2. Osama bin Laden and Ayman Al ZawahiriOsama bin Laden and Ayman Al Zawahiri

3.3. The role of the media: Al JazeeraThe role of the media: Al Jazeera

4.4. Ideologies: clash of civilizationsIdeologies: clash of civilizations

5.5. Holy war as religious duty to defend the Muslim Holy war as religious duty to defend the Muslim nationnation

6.6. Violence and enemies of the WestViolence and enemies of the West

TERRORISM Destruction and assassinations The impact of Terrorism: media and democratization of

Terrorism Globalization of T: challenge to norm and status quo

September 11th, 2001 Turning point Political violence and mass destruction

The Rise of Terrorist Attacks History of T in human civilization Rationalizations of T behavior Rational choice theory

Extremism vs. TerrorismExtremism vs. Terrorism

Extremism: Extremism: radical and intolerantradical and intolerant Justification of behaviorJustification of behavior One’s beliefs and expression of these beliefsOne’s beliefs and expression of these beliefs HowHow one acts upon his/her beliefs one acts upon his/her beliefs

Terrorism: defined?Terrorism: defined? Politically motivatedPolitically motivated Against “soft targets”Against “soft targets” Terrorizing audience Terrorizing audience Is it a crime?Is it a crime? Controversy of definitionControversy of definition

Sources of Terrorism and the interdisciplinary / multidisciplinary approach

Sociology, psychology, political science, etc…

Friedland’s framework1st: group phenomenonClear identity: nationalReligious ideology

2nd: political terrorism has its roots in intergroup conflict

3rd: “insurgent” terrorism not “state” terrorism is strategy of the weak

Ideologies

Systems of belief

Derivations from theories

Disagreements and the role of American government in regulating people’s lives

E.g. degrees of freedom and government intervention

The Morality of Terrorism/or is it ImmoralityThe Morality of Terrorism/or is it Immorality

Mala prohibitaMala prohibita acts made illegal by legislation. Society acts made illegal by legislation. Society declared these acts as wrong declared these acts as wrong

E.g. laws prohibiting prostitutionE.g. laws prohibiting prostitution

Mala in seMala in se acts that are “immoral or wrong in acts that are “immoral or wrong in themselves”themselves”

Cannot be justified Cannot be justified E.g. forcible rape and premeditated murder will never E.g. forcible rape and premeditated murder will never

be legalizedbe legalized

So how is Terrorism defined? Is it worth it for some? Is it relative?

“where you stand depends on where you sit”

FOUR QUOTATIONS:

1. One person’s terrorist is another person’s freedom fighter

2. One man willing to throw away his life is enough to terrorize a thousand

Written by Chinese military philosopher Wu Ch’i “kill one man terrorize 1000” attributed to leader of Chinese

Revolution Mao Zedong and “military philosopher Sun Tzu Note: Sun Tzu’s The Art of War

3. Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice…

Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona

4. It became necessary to destroy the town to save it

Attributed to a statement made by an American officer during the war in Vietnam: symbolic logic

FOCUS ON 3 CASES:FOCUS ON 3 CASES:

1)1) Richard Baumhammers: Pittsburg, Penn April 2000Richard Baumhammers: Pittsburg, Penn April 2000 Racist immigration attorneyRacist immigration attorney Neo Nazi views/ideologiesNeo Nazi views/ideologies Victims: Jewish woman, 2 Indian men, 2 Asian men, 1 Victims: Jewish woman, 2 Indian men, 2 Asian men, 1

African American manAfrican American man Minimal criminal sophistication “lone wolf”Minimal criminal sophistication “lone wolf”

2) Theodore “Ted” Kaczynski 1978 UNABOMBER 2) Theodore “Ted” Kaczynski 1978 UNABOMBER UNABOMUNABOM Medium criminal sophisticationMedium criminal sophistication

3) Ramzi Yousef 19933) Ramzi Yousef 1993 High degreeHigh degree

Symbolization of TSymbolization of T Oklahoma City Bombing 1995Oklahoma City Bombing 1995

1.1. Timothy McVeighTimothy McVeigh

2.2. Children killed: collateral damageChildren killed: collateral damage

September 11September 11thth 2001 2001

1.1. The aftermathThe aftermath

2.2. Patriot Act October 2001Patriot Act October 2001

3.3. Dept. Homeland SecurityDept. Homeland Security

CONCLUSION

The importance of history in examining modern human behavior and T

Manifestation of extremist beliefs The importance of ideology The controversy of mala prohibita vs. mala

in se Rationality of criminal behavior