Terrorism and The Era of Totalitarianism Essay Example

the Mongols who utilized brute force and brutality coupled with terror to destroy cities without raising a sword. Terrorism, especially state terrorism, was well identified through the French revolution “Reign of Terror” where the revolutionaries used violence to ensure the state’s obediencefootnoteRef:3.

In essence, the outlined examples indicate that terrorism was present throughout history. However, much of terrorism developed during the era of fascism and Stalinism. For instance, while terrorism had previously been utilized mostly for revolutionary purposes against tyrannical regimes, Stalin changed the concept through his initial acts of terror which included the “dekulakization” campaign. Through this campaign, Stalin attempted to use terror against peasantry which led to approximated deaths of five million individuals. Actions like this that were bred from the Stalinism ideology changed how terrorism was adopted after World War II. Individuals started to utilize terrorism as a means to install terror but not necessarily for revolutionary purposes. For instance, the Munich massacre where Israeli athletes were killed by Muslim radicals does not indicate any revolutionary purposes. 2: Ibid 3: Tom Nairn & Paul James. Global Matrix: Nationalism, Globalism and State-Terrorism. New York: Pluto Press, 2005.

Another particular way Fascism and Stalinism changed the character of terrorism was by thoroughly influencing why individuals practiced terrorism. Before 1914 and the First World War, terrorism usually involved resistance to the existing states. For instance, the Irish Republican Army was initially established to struggle for the independence of Ireland from the BritishfootnoteRef:4. Another example is the nationalists groups that utilized violence and terror to gain independence from the Ottoman Empire. Such instances indicate that terrorism was mainly used to get a particular goal that was impossible through

other means. However, establishment of the error of totalitarianism changed the aspects of terrorism. Just like Stalinism and to an extent Nazism meant to create completely new society under the strict control of the leaders, modern terrorism is created on the same boundaries. Totalitarianism created a notion that terror could be utilized to establish new societies.

For instance, modern Muslim radicals are dedicated to the creation of an Islamic society all over the globe controlled through the foundations of the Sharia laws. Totalitarianism is forward looking. Nevertheless, it has a certain view of the past. Hitler and the Nazis did not believe or adhere to boundaries but intended to resurrect an ancient mythical empire. In a similar manner, Stalin and his ideology modeled Stalinism on a primitive socialist civilization of the middle agesfootnoteRef:5. Modern terrorism claims the need to create a new political and social order similarly to the totalitarian regimes. Also, like the totalitarian tyrannies, modern terrorism seeks to base the new societies on traditional ideals. As mentioned earlier, most of the Muslim terrorist groups including ISIS seek to create an Islamic state. Another was totalitarianism influenced or changed the character of terrorism was by influencing the obsession with control.

Fascism, Stalinism and Nazism are all ideologies obsessed with control. The obsession is fueled by phobias of disintegration and foreign infiltration. Such phobias led to the creation of concentration camps and other more adverse aspects like genocides and mass murderfootnoteRef:6. In most cases, the need for control led to the destruction of the institutions that embraced these ideologies. Similarly modern terrorism illustrates a need for control which in turn fuels phobias that lead to despicable atrocities.

For instance, the fear of foreign led to the creation of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Similarly, the invasion of the Soviet in the Middle East created Al Qaeda. The need to instill fear and the threat of losing control led to massacres like 9/11. 4: Hoffman, Bruce. Inside Terrorism. New York: Columbia University Press, 1998. 5: Todd, Allan. The European dictatorship: Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2003 6: ibid

However, despite the obvious influence of the totalitarian era on the character of terrorism. In some dimensions terrorism was not influenced by this era and remains identical to the terrorism of pre-1914. For instance, state terrorism is still evident in the modern world. The Islamic State and the rogue state of Syria are instances in the modern world that illustrate state terrorism where terror is the means utilized to ensure obedience and to discourage any rebellions. Also, terrorism is still utilized to attempt to remove administrations that terrorist groups are not comfortable with. In the 1890s when the Ottoman Empire was declining, nationalist groups used terrorist tactics to further their mandates. The Armenian Revolutionary Federation used tactics like bombing buildings, smuggling arms, and writing newsletters among others that were meant to spread terror and force European intervention in their struggle for independence. These tactics are similar to the tactics utilized by modern terrorists.

Terrorist organizations like Al Qaeda, Al Shaabab, and Boko Haram among others utilize bombs and utilize social media avenues to spread their propaganda. Another factor retained by modern terrorists from the past terrorist is autonomy. Modern terrorist organizations are not centralized, they are decentralized. Terrorist organizations lack defined boundaries. Also like in

the past terrorists rely on primitive tactics and technologies. Although some of the organizations make billions of dollars utilizing illegal means like piracy and illegal oil, terrorist organizations generally lack funds to facilitate efficient and modern warfare.

Another aspect of terrorism similar to that of pre-1914 is the notion of individual martyrdom. While totalitarian ideologies are created to enact a mass society where issues of industrialization are steadfast, modern terrorism is individualistic and elitist. Stalinism was meant to mobilize the Soviet people through terror to conform to the rule of Stalin and his policies. Stalin wanted to create an industrialized Soviet Union which was economically adept. However, some aspects of modern terrorism are highly individual where an individual’s desires are meant to be accomplished. For instance, the terror bombings of Oslo in 2011 are a testament of the individualistic nature of modern terrorismfootnoteRef:7. Anders Behring Breivik orchestrated the bombing due to his own personal reasons and did not collaborate with any individual. 7: Schapiro, Leonard. Totalitarianism. London: The Pall Mall Press, 1972.

In conclusion, terrorism as mentioned previously is a scourge that requires imminent and immediate eradication. The connection between contemporary terrorism and totalitarianism is evident as is the connection of contemporary terrorism and terrorism before 1914. Modern terrorism borrows from both aspects of terror and seeks to establish purposes of the individuals and the state. As such, it is vital that efforts are taken to ensure terrorist organizations are not allowed to perpetrate their atrocities.

Bibliography

• Gerard Chaliand & Arnaud Blin. The History of Terrorism: From Antiquity to Al Qaeda. Los Angeles: University of California Press, 2007.
• Hoffman, Bruce. Inside Terrorism. New York: Columbia University Press, 1998.