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MOTIVATION FOR POLITICAL TERRORISM IN GERMANY (FROM INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM IN THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD, 1978, BY MARIUS LIVINGSTON - SEE NCJ-52737)

NCJ Number
52745
Author(s)
G WAGENLEHNER
Date Published
1978
Length
9 pages
Annotation
REASONS FOR POLITICAL TERRORISM IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND MOTIVES OF TERRORIST GROUPS ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
MEMBERS OF THE BAADER-MEINHOF GROUP CALL THEMSELVES REVOLUTIONARIES AND MARXIST-LENINISTS BUT PREFER THE DESIGNATION OF THE RED ARMY FACTION (RAF). THEY WORK TOGETHER WITH TERRORIST GROUPS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD AND VIEW THEMSELVES AS BEING INTERNATIONAL. SINCE 1970, 39 PERSONS HAVE BECOME THE DIRECT VICTIMS AND 12 PERSONS THE INDIRECT VICTIMS OF POLITICALLY MOTIVATED TERRORISM. THE HARD CORE OF THE RAF CONSISTS OF APPROXIMATELY 40 MEMBERS. SINCE 1972, MEMBERS OF THE FACTION HAVE BEEN JAILED, ALTHOUGH SOME SPECTACULAR KIDNAPPINGS HAVE SUCCEEDED IN BRINGING ABOUT THE RELEASE OF A FEW MEMBERS FROM PRISON. VIOLENCE IS THE RAF'S PRINCIPAL METHOD OF OPERATION. REVOLUTIONARY ACTIVITIES ARE FINANCED PRIMARILY THROUGH BANK ROBBERIES. IN REALITY, THE RED ARMY FUNCTIONS AS A BUERGERSHRECK (FRIGHTENING OF CITIZENS). THE TERRORISTS HAVE BEEN REJECTED BY THE ENTIRE POPULATION IN THE COUNTRY AS A RESULT OF THEIR CRIMINAL ACTS AND HAVE EVEN BECOME A BURDEN TO THE COMMUNISTS. MOTIVES OF THE GERMAN TERRORISTS, WHO WERE PREVIOUSLY RADICAL LEFTIST STUDENTS, RELATE TO THE CONFLICT BETWEEN STUDENTS AND A PRODUCTION-ORIENTED INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY, THE CRISIS IN UNDERSTANDING DEMOCRACY WITHIN THE UPPER STRATUM OF EDUCATED YOUTH, AND THE CRISIS OF AUTHORITY. GERMAN TERRORISTS WERE AND ARE BASICALLY CONCERNED WITH SOLVING PERSONAL PROBLEMS (FAMILY, SEXUAL, OR PROFESSIONAL). TERRORISM IS THUS NOT ALWAYS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED; IT IS SOMETIMES PSYCHOPATHOLOGICALLY BASED. (DEP)