Are Freedom Fighters and Terrorists the same ?

Running head: FREEDOM FIGHTERS AND TERRORISTS
ARE FREEDOM FIGHTERS AND TERRORISTS THE SAME?
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1FREEDOM FIGHTERS AND TERRORISTS
As stated by Eager (2016), an important debate which had been ranging since the
traditional times is whether the freedom fighters and the terrorists are the same since the
individuals related to both of these categories often resort to the usage of violence. Asongu et al.
(2019) are of the viewpoint that a common aspect between both freedom fighters and terrorists is
the high level of discontent that they have towards the existing societal condition and also the
manner in which the nation or the territories to which they belong are being governed by its
government. More importantly, the activities of both of these groups of individuals are directed
against the ruling government, disrupt the normal way of life and also fueled with the desire to
attain certain objectives (Laqueur, 2017). However, there is a significant difference between the
terrorists and the freedom fighters despite the fact that both of these groups of individuals take
the help of violence for the attainment of their objectives or goals (Magen, 2018). The activities
undertaken by the terrorists are meant for the fulfillment of their own selfish desires however the
activities undertaken by the freedom fighters are fueled by the desire to do greater good and also
improvement of the quality of life led by the common people. The purpose of this paper is to
show that the freedom fighters and the terrorists are different from each other through the usage
of three arguments which outline the differences between the two in terms of their objectives, the
nature of the activities which are being undertaken by them and also the manner in which the
different protests or the movements are being organized by them.
An analysis of the activities undertaken by the different freedom fighters in the various
nations of the world over the years show that many of them have actually taken the help of non-
violent peaceful protests for the attainment of their goals whereas the terrorists always use
violent measures. Asongu and Nwachukwu (2018) are of the viewpoint that the different
freedom fighters like Mahatama Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and others for the liberation of their

2FREEDOM FIGHTERS AND TERRORISTS
nation from the yoke of exploitative government adopted the method of peaceful protests and
even forbade their followers from indulging in violent activities. Furthermore, Gandhi stopped
the Civil Disobedience Movement when India was very close to attaining freedom from the
British Government due to the usage of violent measures by his followers (Mironova, 2019).
Similarly, Nelson Mandela also forbade his followers during the Apartheid Movement of South
Africa despite the fact that the usage of violent measures would have helped South Africa to
attain freedom much earlier (Kaplan, 2017). Thus, it can be said that the different freedom
fighters over the years had taken the help of peaceful protests for the attainment of their goals or
objectives so as to not to cause any harm to their fellow citizens or the individuals related to the
ruling government. However, the usage of violent measures is an important characteristic feature
of the different terrorists over the years which as a matter of fact had become an integral part of
their very identity (Hone, 2017). This becomes apparent from the analysis of the recent terrorist
activities like the 9/11, 2008 Kandahar bombing, shooting on the Navy air station in Pensacola,
Florida and others (Ruggiero, 2019). This in turn is the most important distinguishing factor
between the terrorists and the freedom fighters which makes them apart from one another.
The terrorists are more motivated by the fulfillment of their own selfish desires which are
often very petty in nature in contrast to the freedom fighters who focus on the liberation of their
nation of yoke of exploitation or the derogatory government system. Medina (2018) is of the
viewpoints the primary objective of the different freedom fighters had been the liberation of their
nation or for that matter the improvement of the quality of life which the common people led.
Adding to this, Martin (2018) has noted that the different activities which are being undertaken
by the freedom fighters are intended for the achievement of the above mentioned goal, that is, the
liberation of their nation. For instance, even in the particular context of the nation of Canada, it