The Peculiarities Of Russian Attitudes Towards Terrorism Muravyova Anna Saratov State University Sociological department

How are attitudes towards terrorism in Russia formed?  Terrorism as a global challenge  The influence of history of terrorism in Russia  Defining terrorism  The role of Chechen conflict

Terrorism is a global challenge.

Russian history of terrorism may be divided into 3 periods:  Before the Revolution of 1917  Revolution time until the middle of 1990s  From 1990s until present

 Early Russian terrorists committed acts of terror against specific political figures  The victims of Modern terrorists are most of the times innocent people.

The difference in Russian and western understanding of terrorism’s notion.  In order to analyze the difference of understanding of terrorism in Russia and in the West we need to analyze the differences in definition of terrorism

“Old” definition of terrorism “Terrorism is politics and practice of terror - frightening of political opponents, in a form of physical violence…” S.I.Ozhegov, the author of Russian language’s dictionary

One of the Modern Russian definitions of terrorism: “Terrorism is a tactic of political fighting, which is characterized by the systematic employment of ideologically motivated violence. This violence may take the form of murders, diversions, sabotages, kidnappings, and the other actions creating a threat to life and security of people.” “Terrorism is a tactic of political fighting, which is characterized by the systematic employment of ideologically motivated violence. This violence may take the form of murders, diversions, sabotages, kidnappings, and the other actions creating a threat to life and security of people.” Researcher of this phenomenon Researcher of this phenomenon of the XXth century, E.Kozhushko of the XXth century, E.Kozhushko

One of the Modern Western definitions of terrorism: Definition of U.S. Department of State: Definition of U.S. Department of State:  politically motivated violence  non-combatant targets  used by: - sub national groups - sub national groups - secret state agents - secret state agents

The development of “new” types of terrorism brings Russian definition closer to Western definitions

People’s perception of terrorism People are afraid to be terrorism’s victims, feel horror and shock, and they see the weakness of power. People are afraid to be terrorism’s victims, feel horror and shock, and they see the weakness of power. “Fear for life. Do you remember the apartment bombings in Moscow? It was horrible. I couldn’t sleep. The thought that I would never wake up again… I still have a sense of fear, but at that time, it was much stronger. Because these were the first steps.” “Fear for life. Do you remember the apartment bombings in Moscow? It was horrible. I couldn’t sleep. The thought that I would never wake up again… I still have a sense of fear, but at that time, it was much stronger. Because these were the first steps.”

The role of Chechen aspect in Russian attitudes towards TERRORISM

 Russian experience with modern terrorism is usually associated with Chechen conflict.  Politicians in Russia try to find the “Chechen trace” in any terrorist act. This fact influences our perception of terrorist actions.  We mustn’t associate terrorist groups of Chechen fighters with all Chechen people who want to live in peace.

Religious aspect  Modern terrorism is often associated with Islamic religious terrorism  The terms “Fighting Islam”, “Jihad” are spreading all over the World now.  It is very important to distinguish terrorist who use Islam as the excuse for their actions from the rest of Muslims

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