• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Creating terror - A mans to an end, or the goal?

Is "creating terror" the goal of terrorism, or is merely a means to an end?

  • Total voters
    22
I think the end goal is to gain something, most likely something political, and terrorizing people is just the method.
 
No doubt every terrorist organization would like to have a squadron of B-2s and all the nasty ordinance they could ever want.
 
sangha said:
is "creating terror" a goal of terrorism, or is it a means to an end?
Click to expand...

It follows that terrorism is the act of creating terror; and everything is a means to an end.

You're not really saying much here....
 
sangha said:
is "creating terror" a goal of terrorism, or is it a means to an end?
Click to expand...

It's hard to say for sure, and depends entirely on each individual case. Terrorism is a poorly defined umbrella term used to describe anything from coercive violence, to assassination and mass murder.
 
sangha said:
is "creating terror" a goal of terrorism, or is it a means to an end?
Click to expand...

The answer is: both.

One can have many goals towards an end.
 
Jredbaron96 said:
I think the end goal is to gain something, most likely something political, and terrorizing people is just the method.
Click to expand...

Successfully executing a method is a goal. One can have many goals towards an end goal.
 
The purpose of terrorism is to cause social unrest and to erode confidence in the ability of the current leadership thus opening an opportunity for another "protector" to replace that leadership.
 
If steps towards an end were not goals, soccer announcers would yell "means" everytime someone scored.
 
I think it is a means unto an end. I think that is what separates terrorists from run of the mill mass murderers. Some of the organized or quasiorganized groups like al Queda actually do elaborate exactly what they want. Withdrawal all forces from Muslim countries, withdrawal support of Israel, etc.
 
I think every terrorist group has a different reason for doing what they do.

Everything from deep-seeded beliefs to pure insanity.
 
DA60 said:
I think every terrorist group has a different reason for doing what they do.

Everything from deep-seeded beliefs to pure insanity.
Click to expand...

For some terrorists is a means to an ends. For others it is the ends.
 
Well both, and the ideology of the group (and whether there are any moderates wanting similar political outcomes) will determine if the terrorist action itself is closer to the endpoint of whatever outcome they desire.

Aum Shinrikyo undoubtedly wanted terror, death and destruction as the outcome. There probably weren't any moderates wanting a similar political outcome and their subway attack was an end in itself.
 
In the specific case of Islamist terrorism, the goal is to replace secular humanism with the jackboot of totalitarianism that would stomp on the human face forever.
 
Last edited:
So, I do not know...
We are not terrorists here, are we ?
So every word, all our thoughts/opinions are just surmises...
Its so difficult to figure out man
This is why we must capture these bastards alive....as we did McVie......and study them...
I think that they suffer from "do it my way, or else" itis..
An utter lack of love and tolerance
Replaced by hatred and fear ..
And, we all suffer from this, at least a little...
 
Last edited:
sangha said:
is "creating terror" a goal of terrorism, or is it a means to an end?
Click to expand...

The definition of the word "terrorism" that I use requires that the act be for a political purpose, so by that definition it is seen by the terrorist as a means towards an end. Not every one is going to agree with that definition however. To me, if you blow up a building just cuz you like to hurt people, or enjoy watching the pretty explosion, that is not terrorism.
 
sangha said:
is "creating terror" a goal of terrorism, or is it a means to an end?
Click to expand...

I voted that creating terror is the goal of terrorism. The intended consequence of that terror is as varied as the terrorist himself.

Terrorist craves a sense of belonging.
Terrorist craves notoriety.
Terrorist group wants to bring our economy to its knees.
Terrorist leader is insane.
Et al
 
Last edited:
Sarcogito said:
I think it is a means unto an end. I think that is what separates terrorists from run of the mill mass murderers. Some of the organized or quasiorganized groups like al Queda actually do elaborate exactly what they want. Withdrawal all forces from Muslim countries, withdrawal support of Israel, etc.
Click to expand...

Have you read bin Laden's "open letter to America" that was published in the London Times (2002?)? He spells out exactly what the goal is.

Edit: Here's a link. I love the Internet.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2002/nov/24/theobserver
 
sangha said:
is "creating terror" a goal of terrorism, or is it a means to an end?
Click to expand...

1: Depends on who's doing it. I say this because some people just want to create terror in others because they thrive on the feeling of power and/or fear that is caused. Others do it to try and accomplish something they believe needs to be accomplished at any cost, even if they find it distasteful.

2: Both. I say this because you presented an "either/or" arguement and didn't account that some people may very well thrive on the power/fear AND want to accomplish something with it.
 
Kal'Stang said:
1: Depends on who's doing it. I say this because some people just want to create terror in others because they thrive on the feeling of power and/or fear that is caused. Others do it to try and accomplish something they believe needs to be accomplished at any cost, even if they find it distasteful.

2: Both. I say this because you presented an "either/or" arguement and didn't account that some people may very well thrive on the power/fear AND want to accomplish something with it.
Click to expand...

In hindsight, I should have added a choice for both
 
sangha said:
is "creating terror" a goal of terrorism, or is it a means to an end?
Click to expand...

It's most likely a means to an end, mostly revolving around power and money as pretty much everything in human history has.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom