Comparative Politics - PDF
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Added on 2021-06-14
Comparative Politics - PDF
Added on 2021-06-14
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RUNNING HEAD: Comparative PoliticsComparative Politics
Comparative Politics1Political violence can be defined as the term for describing violence perpetrated by either governments or persons for the purpose of achieving their political goals. It is believed by a number of individuals and groups that their political systems are never going to answer back to their demands. Therefore, violence is justified and necessary from their viewpoint for achieving their political objectives. For intimidating their public into acquiescence, many governments across the world believe in using violence. Force is also used by the government for defending their country from threats or outside invasion and for conquering territory and coercing outside government. Political violence is either revolutionary or counterrevolutionary (Mamdani, 2002). There are a number of forms in which political violence takes place such as ethnic conflict, genocide, terrorism, torture, capital punishment, famine, police brutality, rebellion, revolution, etc. This essay compares and contrasts two different forms of political violence namely terrorismand revolution. Moreover, it also throws light on the internal and external factors that shape terrorism and revolutions as forms of political violence.Terrorism is a political violence form which is perpetrated by the weaker side of the conflict. Terrorism may also fall under the category of violence between a state and non- state actor. It can be defined as the intended use of threat of unlawful violence or unlawful violence for inculcating fear, intended to intimidate societies or governments or to coerce for pursuing religious, political or ideological goals. In other words, terrorism is the unlawful use of intimidation and violence particularly against civilians for pursuing political aims. On the other hand, revolution is public seizer of the state for the purpose of overturning the existing regime and government. There is an important role played by public in case of revolution. However, most of the times, violence is involved in revolution. The gap between the actual conditions and public expectations in a country is the reason behind the occurrence of revolution. Revolution has the capability of bringing new forms of economic systems and government and has the capability of resulting in dictatorship and increased state power. Political violence is also the result of insecurity. For example, European slave dealers presented opportunity which acted as the major stimulus for violence between various African communities and within the given community. It crossed the limits of regular warfare and took the form of kidnapping and raiding which in turn increased the element of uncertainty and fear (Rodney, 1973).
Comparative Politics2Comparison of terrorism with revolution provides that there are some similarities between them. The ultimate reason behind the occurrence of both the forms is same i.e. when there is gap between the actual conditions and expected conditions. Moreover, for a revolutionary, the main reason behind fighting is the benefit of the people belonging to their nation. The definition of terrorist is also same to a large extend. The only difference is that the terrorists fight only for their own selves. The concepts are similar but the difference is only in the point of view. It is often said that “One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter”. This quote makes it clear that there is only a difference of viewpoint in the concepts of revolutionary and terrorist. This can further elaborated with the help of example of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. His mission was to spread non- violence and truth among mankind in the place of non- truth and violence (Charak & Gershom, 2016). He is considered to be a revolutionary by Indian and a terrorist by UK based historians. Moreover, coercion plays an important role in both these forms as it enforces public obedience through surveillance and violence.However, there are some differences between terrorism and revolution. Terrorism is a one- sided violence by non- state actors while revolution is violence between state and non- state actor. Terrorists aim at targeting and killing the civilians. Their basic motive is to assist help themselves of an unpopular minority. On the other hand, a revolutionary is a guided by motivation and time. Motivation constitutes the aim of the revolutionary such as achieving socialjustice and equality. Moreover, with the passage of time, even terrorists are considered to be revolutionaries. The motives of undertaking terrorism and evulsion are different as a terrorist fights for his own self while a revolutionary fights for the benefit of general public against the government. There is also a difference in the methods used under terrorism and revolution. The methods used by terrorists for the purpose of targeting civilians range from bombings to shootings. Different revolutions make the use of different methods. Some Egyptian revolutions were effective even with peaceful methods such as protests. However, some other revolutions have also made the use of methods ranging from street violence to war. The violence in case of revolution inclines to be focused mainly towards the regime and not towards the civilians. Terrorism and revolution are also different in the intentions of revenge and self- immolation. Terrorists aim at taking revenge through evilness from the other inhabitants while revolution is aimed at self- immolation where they are ready to make a heroic sacrifice of their own lives dedicating it to the inner domain of the community. Both self- immolation and revenge are
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