•  
  •  
 

Authors

Jordan J. Paust

Abstract

To Professor Baxter's chagrin, the words "terror" and "terrorism" i-have been thrown about as well as words such as "criminal," and banditry." I believe that one of the problems that we should face at this time is the definitional approach. We should direct our inquiry to a definitional framework; 'because, this is exactly what has been the problem at the General Assembly of the United Nations, this "politicized throwing about" of conclusionary words without any reference to context or a set of criteria -for a shared definition of what the term means. The definitional approach that I would utilize is a broad approach to the parameters of terrorism. It does not distinguish between systematic acts or acts which are not systematic (i.e., a terroristic process which is instigated by one single act). I do not think the word "systematic" is very useful. Nor does the definition contain words such as "innocent," upon which a broad type of moral or politicized difference of opinion can hinge. Instead it focuses on the terroristic process itself

Share

COinS