Terrorism is a highly contested term with no universal definition agreed upon between states and individuals. The document discusses several attempts by scholars to streamline the definition, focusing on aspects like politically motivated violence directed against noncombatants to instill fear. It also provides definitions from scholars Hoffman, Viotti & Kauppi, and Schmid. Additionally, the history of the term is briefly touched on, noting it was first used positively during the French Revolution to describe the regime de la terreur system of 1793-94.

1. TERRORISM & INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS
Mohammad Rubaiyat Rahman
Lecturer of Law
BSMRSTU
Gopalganj 8100

2. Terrorism
Terrorism is one of the most
contested definitions in the
field of international relations.
Discussions about what is
defined as “terrorism” are not
settled; states and individuals
are still in disagreement about
such a contested issue.
There are many definitions of
terrorism, but it still becomes a
challenge to agree upon what
classifies a “terrorist” and “acts
of terror.”

3. Definition of Terrorism
• Scholars have attempted to streamline the
definition, aiming to agree on certain aspects of
the terrorism definition.
• Hoffman (2006):
• “terrorism is violence … … used and directed in
pursuit of, or in service of, a political aim”

4. Definition of Terrorism
• Viotti & Kauppi (2013) define terrorism as:
• “[p]olitically motivated directed against
noncombatants and designed to instill
fear in an audience”

5. Definition of Terrorism
• Schmid writes:
• Terrorism refers … … to a doctrine about the
presumed effectiveness of a special form or tactic of
fear-generating, coercive political violence and, on
the other hand, to a conspiratorial practice of
calculated, demonstrative, direct violent action
without legal or moral restraints, targeting mainly
civilians and non-combatants, performed for its
propagandistic and psychological effects on
various audiences and conflict parties;
•

6. History
• The word terrorism was first popularized during
the French Revolution. In contrast to its
contemporary usage, at the time terrorism had a
decidedly positive connotation.
• The system of regime de la terreur of 1793–94