METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES which researchers have faced in defining and measuring terrorism
Do we really know how many terrorists are there in the world today? In the United States? How many terrorist incidents occurred last year? How do we know all the events qualified as terrorism fit the statutory framework?
As you have seen in this week’s readings, it may actually be very difficult to answer these questions. As a result, it’s also difficult to answer a simple question like ‘Are we winning or losing the war on terror?’
For this week's discussion, please begin by visiting the START terrorist incidents database, found here: https://start.umd.edu/Links to an external site.
Read about the databaseLinks to an external site.
Now read about some of the METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES which researchers have faced in defining and measuring terrorismLinks to an external site.:
Spend some time exploring the database. Choose a country and look at some trends in that country regarding terrorist incidents over time.
Then respond to the following questions. But as you do, consider Josef Pieper's "countless superficial information bits" in the absence of knowing the core of the matter while also pondering Brigadier S.K. Malik's statement that the object of terror is the destruction of faith:
What organizations support or assist START in the development of the data set it puts out on terrorism?
Why is it so difficult to define and label terrorism and terrorist activities? Compare and contrast the issues raised by Englund and Stohl to the issues raised in the terrorism database. Are the major obstacles to defining and measuring terrorism purely political, purely methodological or some combination of the two? How are the methodological and political obstacles intertwined?
What controversies have arisen in trying to label and measure terrorism? What specific problems did you identify in your exploration of the START database for your particular country?
Why does this debate about DEFINING terrorism matter to policymakers and what are some ways which academics have tried to resolve it?
Sample Solution
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It is difficult to know exactly how many terrorists there are in the world today, as there is no single definition of terrorism and no central authority that tracks terrorist activity. However, the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) estimates that there were 6,701 terrorist deaths in 2022, down from 7,341 in 2021. The GTI also estimates that there were 3,955 terrorist attacks in 2022, down from 5,226 in 2021.
The United States State Department defines terrorism as "premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against non-combatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience." The GTI uses a similar definition, but also includes acts of violence by state actors.
Full Answer Section
The GTI defines a terrorist attack as "the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims." This definition is broad and includes a wide range of acts, such as bombings, shootings, and hostage takings. It is important to note that the GTI is only one measure of terrorist activity. Other organizations, such as the United Nations, also track terrorist activity, but they use different definitions and methodologies. As a result, it is difficult to compare the GTI's estimates to those of other organizations. How do we know all the events qualified as terrorism fit the statutory framework? The GTI uses a variety of sources to compile its data, including government reports, media accounts, and academic research. The GTI's team of experts then reviews this data to determine which events meet the GTI's definition of terrorism. The GTI's definition of terrorism is based on the following criteria:- The act must be unlawful.
- The act must be politically motivated.
- The act must be directed against non-combatant targets.
- The act must be intended to influence an audience.
- The nature of the target.
- The methods used to carry out the attack.
- The intent of the perpetrators.
- The impact of the attack.