Typology of Terrorist Organisations Flashcards
Week 2 (a)
Universal features of terrorist groups
They are clandestine, illegal, goal-driven, violent, ideologically motivated, and non-profit organisations.
National (“traditional”) terrorism
Generally operate within a national framework and aim for regime change, regional autonomy, minority rights, or other objectives within the country. They don’t interact much with foreign groups.
International terrorism
Operate in through nation-states. They cross borders, and don’t deny them.
Forms of international terrorism
Attacking targets in other countries or set up bases and camps abroad, building support networks in foreign countries, supporting other foreign terrorist groups.
Transnational terrorism
They cross borders, but don’t care about them. They are irrelevant for them.
What are the six common goals of terrorists?
Status quo, policy change, territorial change, regime change, empire, social revolution.
Nationalist groups characteristics
‘territorial change’, mid-size/large, both military and political organizations.
Right-wing groups characteristics
’ status quo’ or ‘social revolution’, small size, often very hierarchical.
Left-wing groups characteristics
‘policy change’, ‘regime change’, or ‘social revolution’, large groups, military lines.
Religious groups characteristics
‘empire’, either extremely large or extremely small, state-building.
Why is it important to know why terrorist groups come to an end?
To make sure the policymakers know where to prioritise their efforts.
backlash
Initially sympathetic community may change as a result of terrorism.
Breadth of goals
The narrower the goal, the less likely it will be achieved, and more willing the group will be to seek nonviolent means.
