Introduction to Political Theory

Chapter 20 Political violence

Introduction

Since 11 September 2001, when the World Trade Center and part of the

Pentagon were demolished through terrorist attacks, the question of political

violence has been widely debated in the media and elsewhere.

Just what is political violence? Can a practitioner of political violence be

coherently distinguished from a guerrilla or freedom fighter? An analysis of

political violence is particularly important, given the fact that authoritarian

regimes may find it convenient to label all manifestations of violent opposition

as ‘terrorist’ in nature. Why does political violence arise and, above all, what

we can do about it? It is important that we try to understand it not as a way

of condoning it but because we will never be able to eradicate this violence

unless we understand it – its sources, its raison d’êtreand its apparent

justifications.

Chapter map

In this chapter we will explore:

• The liberal tradition and political
  violence. The traditional view of the
  state as an institution that does not
  itself use political violence.


• Salmi’s distinction between four types
  of violence, and a critique of Salmi’s
  position. The distinction between
  political violence and terrorism proper.
  
  
  • Marx, Lenin and Mao’s view of political
    violence. The problem of a general
    theory of political violence.
  
  
  • The roots of political violence.
  
  
  • The link between political violence and
    the state. The problem of US policy
    towards political violence.