Terrorism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 2

Terrorism - Essay Example Analyzing Different Types Of Terrorism Introduction Based on the execution and effects of terrorist behavior, acts of terror do not just happen; they are well thought and planned. All terrorist behavior is based on extremist beliefs and intolerance towards contrasting interests (Martin, 2009). Although almost all acts of terror are based on political motives, extremism is very divergent depending on the belief systems of the concerned terrorists, thus the existence of different types of terrorism. Left-Wing Versus Right-Wing Terrorism In almost all political systems, there are conflicting views on how the system should be run. There are those factions that support the preservation of traditional values, while other factions advocate for new methods of administration. According to Martin (2009), right-wing extremists are those who believe that the values that led to past glory have been eroded by enemy culture. As a result, rightists often use aggressive measures to preserve these cul tures and cement their status. On the other hand, left-wing extremists act aggressively towards establishing a new order by first destroying the current system. Most leftists believe that they have been oppressed by the existing regime, thus the need to create a just and fair regime. Ideally, leftists consider themselves the voice of the oppressed and engage the rightists in aggressive politics in order to establish a new system. Consequently, rightists respond through terrorist violence in an attempt to safeguard the ideals and order of the group. Pitcavage (2001) gives the example of the militia movement, a paramilitary rightist group that arose in the United States during the 1990s. This movement advocated for the right of every individual to own a gun in order to protect themselves from a tyrannical government. The militia movement claimed that the federal government was creating a conspiracy to rob citizens off their rights and exercise more control over them. To this end, the rightist believed that the government through the police unit was creating security incidents and using the same to increase government power over the people. Moreover, the militia believed that the United States government was colluding with the United Nations to establish a tyrannical regime under the â€Å"New World Order.† Generally, the militia movement would act with hostility towards the federal government. The militias would attack U.S military bases believed to be training troops from the United Nations. In addition, the militias would manufacture illegal weapons and use the same to confront federal authorities (Pitcavage, 2001, p. 971). Martin (2009, p. 254) gives the example of the â€Å"Battle of Seattle† that was organized in 1999 by leftists to protest against globalization. The leftist protestors believed that globalization would limit the role played by each culture in the world, thus bringing about anarchy. However, according to Martin (2009, p. 254), left-wing terrorism has been gradually decreasing since the end of Marxism. State Terrorism State terrorism occurs when states decide to act violently towards international or domestic adversaries. In the international arena, a state may choose to use aggression and violence to