TERROR, TERRORISM, AND ERRORISM

Terrorism is intended as an instrument of change. It is often the systematic use of terror as a means of coercion. By dictionary agreement, it is the use of force to intimidate and incite fear in a population or government to achieve the acquisition of power. As an instrument it is used by forces that wish to bring about change and/or to create awareness of the need for change.

Terrorism is more often a sledge-hammer than a scalpel, although if the objective is narrow enough, it functions as both. Chasing populations from coveted lands or eradicating them through murder by governments or by militarily stronger forces led by charismatic or religious leaders, is an example of using a scalpel to identify and separate desirable from undesirable populations and using the sledge hammer to wipe out the undesirables. Using a sledge hammer against the twin towers of the World Trade Center accomplished nothing more than useless destruction. It did not lead to fear by the American people nor did it lead to acquisition of land or power or stature in the minds of the American people. It was an act of Errorism par excellence. No change was achieved by the terrorists nor did it create an awareness of a need for change. All it did was enable television-watching poverty-stricken rabble to dance on their rooftops in glee and jealousy at the pain inflicted on the dead, the dying, and their families.

Terrorism is generally an outgrowth of the comfortable use of force by political, military, or religious groupings that have learned their explosive trade and entice gullible naifs to blow themselves up to achieve martyrdom while in the service of non-mainstream entities. The bomb-carrying souls are convinced of the righteousness of their cause and die with the false expectation that many virgins in heaven await them. Those who use terrorism seem to believe that it gives them power or magnifies their power.

Terrorism as a stand-alone strategy is not effective because it does not produce wealth. Huge amounts of wealth are often expended on terrorist attacks. When supported and used by entrenched political and religious entities to eliminate rivals for power, it can sometimes be effective in acquiring wealth and political power. Short term success may be achieved but the resultant de-stabilization hardly leads to long-term goal satisfaction. The counter attacks by the target often reduce the pleasure of success.

Therein lies the essential misconception of the power of terrorism and the difference between terrorism and “errorism.” Errorism is the use of terror to achieve rational results. It just doesn’t work.