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When profiling a terrorist, one must look at the more pronounced personal, ideological, and psychological characteristics. The article assesses the overall scope of contemporary terrorism and examines its most prevalent as well as its most hypothesized lethal causes. Ideology has always had an ambiguous relationship with terrorism, at one point justifying and at another condemning the same act. It helps to assess the ideological commitment of the perpetrators of terrorism. Profiling modern terrorists is one way of accessing what terrorism is committed for today. An understanding of the impact of group dynamics is also useful in critiquing the rational behind such acts. Patterns in the type of recruiting done among groups committing terrorist acts lends substance to these profiles of modern terrorists.
Terrorism, in its modern context, is both the result of excessive resentment and extreme self-righteousness. Many terrorists are genuinely convinced that their cause, whether associated with their ethnic, religious, economic, or ideological convictions, has been systematically betrayed and exploited by powerful and nefarious forces. Terrorists thus feel justified in victimizing others with similar atrocities or upping the destructive ante. According to their beliefs, they have been left no choice in the matter by a cruel and insensitive world.
It is this perspective that eliminates or diminishes the possibility of compromise or flexibility. Terrorists view the world in terms of good and evil. One does not negotiate or “work through the system” since the system itself is irredeemably evil, especially when truth resides completely on your side; one can only destroy evil, root and branch.
Terrorism, then, represents an absolutist approach to resolving political problems. It has become increasingly indicative of an anti-Western bias and many terrorists are seduced by thoughts of becoming a martyr. A great deal of contemporary terrorism, perhaps most of it, is motivated, justified, and inspired by fundamentalist religious doctrine.
The perception of being morally wronged, sometimes passes on as mythology from generation to generation, is compounded by the fact that many terrorist are aggressive, lonely, frustrated, and dogmatic individuals. Terrorism for such individuals ,who tend to oversimplify issues, is the ultimate expression of carrying a “chip on the shoulder.” Whatever the primary motivation, as sense of self-righteousness can be a powerful catalyst for a violent option.
The economic variable, social factors, subnationalist dynamics, conspiracy theories- all play significant roles at one time or another in causality explanations, adding to the multiple motivations that should be examines and analyzed. An intensification factor- hatred, anger , or bitterness at America- are expressed by British as well as American observers.
Members of a terrorist group have common political, social, ethnic, or religious ideologies. Terrorists are extremely dedicated to their cause. Many believe they will be remembered as a martyr for their actions. Terrorists are not necessarily psychopaths; they just have extreme inferiority complexes. They act in such a violent manner to restore their dignity. It makes them feel more powerful and noble. They genuinely feel like they are justified for their atrocities. Even though it is easy to sympathize with a terrorists’’ living conditions, there is not valid excuse for their actions.
Copyright 2001 by PageWise, Inc
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Posted on: 2004-06-24 17:36:20