The lack of unity of the international community in defining terrorism presents a problem for states, legal representatives, and authorities. The development of a unified definition of terrorism at the global level is challenging because the domestic laws of several countries differ significantly. The solution to defining terrorism at the national level is faced with a conflict of law: internal concepts, tradition, and the common language of courtesy. Complex terrorism rising nowadays with the usage of online communications and unpredicted acts imposes an issue for society (Homer-Dixon, 2013).
One can suggest that terrorism can be defined as following: terrorism – is violence or the threat of its usage against individuals or organizations that creates a risk of loss of life and causes socially dangerous consequences, carried out to violate public security, intimidate the population, influencing the decision-making by authorities, or satisfying other interests that are beneficial for terrorists. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (n.d.), international terrorism is a “violent, criminal acts committed by individuals and/or groups who are inspired by, or associated with, designated foreign terrorist organizations or nations (state-sponsored).” The proposed definition coincides with the FBI’s term that highlights violent actions but lacks emphasis on the level (international) of terrorism.
Domestic terrorism, on the other hand, is a “violent, criminal acts committed by individuals and/or groups to further ideological goals stemming from domestic influences, such as those of a political, religious, social, racial, or environmental nature” (FBI, n.d.). FBI’s definition of violence is broader and does not involve victims of terrorism while highlighting the nature and reasons for committing violent acts. The proposed definition searches for finding objectives of terrorists; in contrast, the FBI’s term focuses on one ideological goal that implies others, which should be further researched to identify the best definition.
References
Federal Bureau of Investigation. (n.d.). Terrorism.
Homer-Dixon, T. (2013). The Rise of complex terrorism. Foreign Policy.