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Citation |
Livingstone NC. Conflict 1980; 2(4): 351-382. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 1980, Institute for Conflict and Policy Studies, Publisher Crane - Russak) |
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DOI |
unavailable |
PMID |
unavailable |
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Abstract |
Terrorism is rare in nations with strict authoritarian rule but is most active in open societies which place a high value on life and civil liberties. Although terrorism has declined in the Third World, it has considerable potential among Nations where economic progress has not kept pace with public expectations. Terrorists carefully select targets according to weapons available, opportunity, and the desired goal. Many terrorist acts are symbolic and are planned to convey a message to a specific population. For example, the Irish Republican Army's assassination of Lord Mountbatten was designed to have a profound psychological effect on the British public. Other terrorist goals include intimidation of opponents who have committed harsh or unconscionable acts, achievement of military or political objectives by destroying key installations or officials, and financial gain. Most modern terrorists maintain that there is no such category as the innocent bystander and consider anyone and everything potential targets. Moreover, it is only a matter of time before terrorists strike at the vulnerable products of technological progress, particulary those involving energy and computers. Oil wells, pipelines, and supertankers could be sabotaged by a few well-trained men. Futhermore, the increasing reliance on computers for the normal operation of society has enhanced the potential for major disruption and economic chaos stemming from sabotage or theft of computer data. Society has become increasingly brutalized by violence depicted on television and in the media, and terrorists are aware that they must constantly achieve new heights of horror to capture public attention. Prime targets from this viewpoint include major sporting events, technological showpieces such as the Concorde, irreplaceable works of art or national monuments, and centers which coordinate activities such as the stock exchange. Terrorists might also try to disrupt the economy or turn a public service into a weapon, as demonstrated by attempts to introduce hazardous chemicals into city water supplies. Furthermore, multinational companies and their employees have been attacked increasingly by terrorists and may be forced to abandon lucrative foreign markets. Heads of State and other highly visible persons connected with volatile issues should be fearful for their lives since constant protection from assassination remains a difficult task. Language: en |