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Origins of the concept of terrorism and their reflections in its contemporary use. Dr. Asta Maskaliunaite. Some p ositions regarding definition of terrorism. Terrorism can be defined, the search for its universal definition is not meaningless. I know it when I see it.
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Origins of the concept of terrorism and their reflections in its contemporary use Dr. Asta Maskaliunaite
Some positions regarding definition of terrorism Terrorism can be defined, the search for its universal definition is not meaningless. I know it when I see it One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter Terrorism is a pejorative term used to insult one‘s enemies. Its use in academic studies should be abandoned. Terrorism will always remain a contested term, but so do many other social science concepts Even if there is no agreed definition, there is a great level of consensus as to what the term means
Terror, terrorism terms in historical context • Terror before the French revolution: • Helplessness, insecurity, vulnerability • Religious awe, fear of divine punishment • Means of despotic government • Terror – transformation during the French revolution • 2 periods – 1793-1794 “Reign of terror”, 1794- reaction “against” it
Semantic field of terror 1793-1794 Vengeance Virtue Terror Justice Reason
Semantic field of terror post-1794 Greed Arbitrary Terror Power-seeking Irrational
Conclusions • Understanding of terror fluctuated between these two positions both in time and according to the environment • Dynamics of terrorism-counter-terrorism needs to be observed in order to understand better the phenomenon