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Internal Organizational Problems and the Sources of Tensions of Terrorist Movements as Catalysts of Violence

NCJ Number
70594
Journal
Terrorism Volume: 1 Issue: 3 and 4 Dated: (1978) Pages: 277-285
Author(s)
J K Zawodny
Date Published
1978
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This paper discusses how violent action by members of terrorist organizations can be triggered by problems within the organization rather than by external factors only.
Abstract
Two categories of problems are discussed: command problems and political problems. Command problems include (1) the reconciliation of security with efficient communication, (2) the propensity of ethnic groups to cluster under stress and therefore affect the cohesion of an organization, (3) possible competitive tensions and displays of machismo through violence that occur because of the presence of women members, and (4) members who are pathologically prone to violence and who can initiate such violence without orders and involve other members acting in good faith. Political problems include the potential of terrorist organizations for future counterrevolution, inflated membership figures which may cause leaders to initiate or intensify violence to prove their strength, and the role of the terrorist leaders in providing moral dispensation for terrorist actions they cannot fully control. Finally, the terrorists themselves can never predict the level and intensity of violence to which they will actually be subjected, either as possible killers or as victims. One footnote is provided.