HSM 311 Is Terrorism a Bias Term
To complete the assignment read the following materials:
- Chapter 11 of The Ethics of War and Peace: An Introduction to Legal and Moral Issues
- Terrorism, Justification and Illusion (found in the online classroom)
- Declaration of Jihad by Osama Bin Laden against the US (Links to an external site.)
Explain whether or not you believe “terrorism” is a biased term derived by governments in power to delegitimize those with little power and if you think the use of “terrorism” is simply “war by other means”. Using the Just War tenets of “just cause,” “legitimate authority,” “last resort,” and “proportionality,” make an argument that justifies the use of terrorism by al-Qaeda. Looking at the “distinction” tenet that states that war should be directed towards enemy combatants, and not non-combatants, explain whether or not al-Qaeda is justified for targeting American civilians if it has declared “America” to be the enemy.