The word “terrorism” is politically and emotionally charged,[4] and The word “terrorism” is politically and emotionally charged,[4] andthis greatly compounds the difficulty of providing a precisethis greatly compounds the difficulty of providing a precisedefinition. A 1988 study by the United States Army found that overdefinition. A 1988 study by the United States Army found that over100 definitions of the word “terrorism” have been used.[5] The100 definitions of the word “terrorism” have been used.[5] Theconcept of terrorism is itself controversial because it is often usedconcept of terrorism is itself controversial because it is often usedby states to delegitimize political or foreign opponents, andby states to delegitimize political or foreign opponents, andpotentially legitimize the state's own use of terror against them.potentially legitimize the state's own use of terror against them.
The history of terrorist organizations suggests that they do not The history of terrorist organizations suggests that they do notpractice terrorism only for its political effectiveness; individualpractice terrorism only for its political effectiveness; individualterrorists are also motivated by a desire for social solidarity withterrorists are also motivated by a desire for social solidarity withother members.[6]other members.[6]
Terrorism has been practiced by a broad array of political Terrorism has been practiced by a broad array of politicalorganizations for furthering their objectives. It has been practicedorganizations for furthering their objectives. It has been practicedby both right-wing and left-wing political parties, nationalisticby both right-wing and left-wing political parties, nationalisticgroups, religious groups, revolutionaries, and rulinggroups, religious groups, revolutionaries, and rulinggovernments.[7]governments.[7]
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