Humanities

What is state terrorism? »Its definition and meaning

Anonim

State terrorism refers to acts of terrorism carried out by a state against foreign targets, or against its own people. States have a monopoly on force to fulfill their purpose, but they must use law rationally and in accordance with the law.

When the state, through its repressed population of governors, harasses, systematically persecutes, to come to dominate out of fear, avoiding any act of resistance to oppression, this way of acting is called state terrorism, which is an abuse of its power. coercive, where civilians are kidnapped, tortured or killed without trial and without the guarantees of due process.

There is no academic or international legal consensus regarding the proper definition of the word “terrorism”. Many academics believe that the actions of governments can be labeled "terrorism." For example, using the term "terrorism" to refer to violent actions used with the predominant intention of causing terror.

However, others, including governments, international organizations, private institutions and academics, believe that the term is only applicable to the actions of violent non-state actors. Historically, the term terrorism was used to refer to actions taken by governments against their own citizens, while now it is more often seen as a target of non-combatants as part of a strategy directed against governments.

While the most common modern use of the word terrorism refers to victimizing civilian political violence by insurgents or conspirators, several scholars make a broader interpretation of the nature of terrorism that encompasses the concepts of state terrorism and state-sponsored terrorism.. It is important to understand that in terrorism, threatened or perpetrated violence has broader purposes than simple physical harm to the victim. The audience of the act or threat of violence is more important than the immediate victim ”.

Scholar Gus Martin describes state terrorism as terrorism "committed by governments and quasi-governmental bodies and personnel against perceived threats," which can be directed against domestic and foreign targets. Noam Chomsky defines state terrorism as " terrorism practiced by states (or governments) and their agents and allies."