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Challenge 6
We must find more effective ways to
OPPOSE AND DELEGITIMIZE TERRORISM
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"Justice without violence" strategies must be supplemented by hard security measures capable of physically preventing terrorist acts and sharply limiting public support for terrorism. Although a lot more needs to be learned about why people turn to terrorism, it is generally believed that disempowerment, humiliation, and a sense of hopelessness (either for the individuals personally or for their communities or societies) are driving reasons. If terrorism is to be prevented, therefore, these driving factors need to be reversed: People need to be empowered in more positive ways, so that they believe they can get their needs met without using violence; humiliation must be stopped, so that the anger at such treatment diminishes; and people must be given a sense of hope and purpose in their immediate life — not a sense of hope for a better afterlife brought on by being a martyr in this life.
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Meeting the Challenge: What We Now Know
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We are learning more and more about terrorism and counter-terrorism efforts, but the knowledge has not yet made its way into policy in the U.S., where disempowerment and humiliation still seem to be common tactics of warfare. It is essential that we come to understand the danger of this approach, and learn to adopt other, more effective approaches for countering terrorism. Materials on this topic include:
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- Suicide Bombers This artice discusses theories about why people become suicide bombers, and how this choice might be prevented.
- Stabilization and the Problem of Insurgency Insurgencies are an increasingly frequent source of violent conflict in today's world, as minority or "out-of-power" groups use guerilla warfare tactics to try to gain or regain political (and military) power. Not nearly enough is known about how to deal with insurgencies, but this article suggests some approaches that have been effective in the past.
Book Summaries:
- Counterinsurgency Warfare: Theory and Practice
David Galula
Counterinsurgency is, in essence, a political battle for legitimacy in the eyes of the public. Though written by a French military officer in 1964, this book remains one of the most respected and referenced texts on counterinsurgency warfare.
- Strategic Nonviolent Conflict
Peter Ackerman and Christopher Kruegler
A practitioner's choice of non-violent strategies is key to the success of nonviolent actions. Such strategies, and principals to guide such strategies, are introduced in an effort to explore the potential uses of non-violent action in the contemporary context.
- Power and Struggle
Gene Sharp
Though the control of political power is often associated with violent coercion, there are effective alternatives. Nonviolent political alternatives are discussed and illustrated by historical examples.
- Exploring Nonviolent Alternatives
Gene Sharp
Nonviolent action withholds the assistance and cooperation necessary to exercise control over a population. Sharp discusses the techniques of nonviolent action and their implications for national defense.
- Methods of Nonviolent Action
Gene Sharp
Nonviolent action puts violent opponents in a double-bind. If they fail to oppress the nonviolent actors, then their position is undermined. On the other hand, if they do take oppressive action, then sympathy for the nonviolent actors is increased. This book details various nonviolent methods under the general categories of protests, non-cooperation, and intervention techniques.
- The Dynamics of Nonviolent Action
Gene Sharp
Nonviolent action exposes the violence of an opponents repression in a sort of political jui-jitsu. Sharp elaborates on this process describing how to deal with repression, gain solidarity and deal with the inherent risks of nonviolent action.
- The Effects of Violence on Peace Processes
John Darby
Violence often derails peace processes, particularly in their early stages. Darby argues that violence is not likely to disrupt a peace process if those willing to deal are supported, opportunists are included in the process, zealots are isolated, and the security sector is reformed.
- Spoiler Problems in Peace Processes
Stephen John Stedman
Spoilers are individuals and groups who believe the emerging peace threatens them and who use violence to undermine the peace. This article attempts to improve our understanding of spoilers and to aid "custodians of peace" in managing them.
Other Resources of Interest:
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