Special interest terrorism
Encyclopedia
Special interest terrorism, also called single-issue terrorism, is a category of terrorism
. It differs from traditional right-wing terrorism
and left-wing terrorism
in that extremist special interest groups seek to resolve specific issues, rather than effect widespread political change.
Special interest extremists continue to conduct acts of politically motivated violence to force segments of society, including the general public, to change attitudes about issues considered important to their causes. These groups occupy the extreme fringes of animal rights
, pro-life
, environmental
, anti-nuclear
, and other movements. Some special interest extremists—most notably within the animal rights and environmental movements—have turned increasingly toward vandalism
and terrorist activity in attempts to further their causes.
One well-known form is environmental terrorism or eco-terrorism
. In fact, in the 1980s it was the only type of special-interest terrorism in the FBI statistics.
Extremists associated with any of these issues come from various social groups, and there is no definite portrait of a "single-issue extremist". However some generalizing conclusions may be drawn. For example, animal rights activists and environmentalists tend to be of left wing political interests, whereas pro-life
extremists are of right wing.
Terrorism
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
. It differs from traditional right-wing terrorism
Right-wing terrorism
Right-wing terrorism draws its inspiration from a variety of ideologies and beliefs, including neo-fascism, neo-Nazism, racism, opposition to foreigners and immigration, and religion. Incidents of this type of terrorism have been widespread, but often lack international cooperation...
and left-wing terrorism
Left-wing terrorism
Left-wing terrorism, sometimes called Marxist-Leninist terrorism or revolutionary/left-wing terrorism is a tactic used to overthrow capitalism and replace it with Marxist-Leninist or socialist government.-Ideology:...
in that extremist special interest groups seek to resolve specific issues, rather than effect widespread political change.
Special interest extremists continue to conduct acts of politically motivated violence to force segments of society, including the general public, to change attitudes about issues considered important to their causes. These groups occupy the extreme fringes of animal rights
Animal rights
Animal rights, also known as animal liberation, is the idea that the most basic interests of non-human animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings...
, pro-life
Pro-life
Opposition to the legalization of abortion is centered around the pro-life, or anti-abortion, movement, a social and political movement opposing elective abortion on moral grounds and supporting its legal prohibition or restriction...
, environmental
Environmental movement
The environmental movement, a term that includes the conservation and green politics, is a diverse scientific, social, and political movement for addressing environmental issues....
, anti-nuclear
Nuclear power
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 6% of the world's energy and 13–14% of the world's electricity, with the U.S., France, and Japan together accounting for about 50% of nuclear generated electricity...
, and other movements. Some special interest extremists—most notably within the animal rights and environmental movements—have turned increasingly toward vandalism
Vandalism
Vandalism is the behaviour attributed originally to the Vandals, by the Romans, in respect of culture: ruthless destruction or spoiling of anything beautiful or venerable...
and terrorist activity in attempts to further their causes.
One well-known form is environmental terrorism or eco-terrorism
Eco-terrorism
Eco-terrorism usually refers to acts of violence or sabotage committed in support of ecological, environmental, or animal rights causes against persons or their property....
. In fact, in the 1980s it was the only type of special-interest terrorism in the FBI statistics.
Extremists associated with any of these issues come from various social groups, and there is no definite portrait of a "single-issue extremist". However some generalizing conclusions may be drawn. For example, animal rights activists and environmentalists tend to be of left wing political interests, whereas pro-life
Pro-life
Opposition to the legalization of abortion is centered around the pro-life, or anti-abortion, movement, a social and political movement opposing elective abortion on moral grounds and supporting its legal prohibition or restriction...
extremists are of right wing.