Could terrorism ever be used to bring about a positive change in society?

Question

and when does a freedom fighter become a terrorist?

Answer 1

"could terrorism ever be used to bring about a positive change in society?"

Of course it could, look at civilian attacks against the Germans and Japanese during WWII along with many other modern conflicts.  That doesn't make it right.  Threatening a bully's family or countrymen is still a threat.

"and when does a freedom fighter become a terrorist?"  When they are threatening/attacking civilians or a non culpable third party to get back at a second party.  

For example if John is a senator and John arrests Sam just because Sam published photos of John taking bribes, Sam having his friends kidnapping and threatening John's son is completely wrong, even if Sam was unjustly arrested.

Answer 2

To answer your second question. A freedom fighter becomes a terrorist when the Government decides that they don't like the cause and so the Media helps to blacken the name.

When n**i Germany invaded France, there was a resistance group called the French Resistance. They were full of couragous people who fought even when France's Military and Government officially surrendered. However the F.R continued to fight and the n***s officially labelled them as terrorists... the n**i Government didn't like them and the Medi helped blacken their name and cause.

When Israel invaded Palestine, the Palestinians fought back. ...The US Government didn't like that so now they're labelled as terrorists.

Nelson Mandela was a 'terrorist' and on 'the list' of the US and UK, both declaring him a terrorist simply because he wanted equal rights for black people... yet again the Government didn't like them and Media helped exploit him.

Sometimes it can. Terrorism brought democracy and independance for many people. When the people of the US fought for its independance they would have been labelled as terrorists. George Washington would have definitely been seen as a terrorist but he saved his people. Terrorism is just a word. The same meaning has always been around but with different names. Such as:

Communism = Terrorism

Jews and Catholics = Terrorism

Muslims = Terrorism

They were all thought to be a bad thing, a danger to people but just with the name changing to suit time.

Answer 3

It's the only way desperate people have to get a change. From the earliest of times one mans terrorist has been another man's freedom fighter. Some countries would still be under foreign control if they hadn't been terrorist attacks. Israel, Ireland and Kenya spring to mind. And those are just from British rule. The same people spouting on this fora that killing is wrong don't mind it when it is done to suppress ideologies different to there own.

Answer 4

It's called Right and Wrong. No, terrorism does not and never has brought any positive changes anyplace.

Answer 5

No..

Someone mentioned Mandella.

Hes no sweetheart. More people need to read up on him, what he and his wife did in earlier years that caused them to end up in prison.

A terrorist is a terrorist and a terrorist is a murderer. Nothing good comes through murder.

Answer 6

It depends on people's definition of a "terrorist".

Today's "terrorist", tomorrow's leaders.

The course of history has been altered by "terrorism" and it depends which side you support as to whether you think the change is positive or not.

Answer 7

Terrorism is in the eye of the beholder.

The biggest piece of concerted terrorism in recent years, was the, self acknowledged by its name, "operation shock and awe", that was the first act of the land grab of Iraq.

Answer 8

It really does depend. Some would say that the Union army marching under General Sherman committed acts of terrorism. By destroying everything and anyone who got in their way The Union marched from Atlanta to the Atlantic Ocean and in the process crushed The Confederate cause amongst the common man. And though everyone may not agree with me (racists being among them), most would say it's a good thing that The Union won.

Answer 9

When another islamists bombs will explode once more in England, do you think you'll have a proper answer to your question ?

Answer 10

You wouldn't ask that question if you'd lost someone in 9/11.

Shame on you !

Answer 11

I believe terrorism can't produce any good for the world at all. Terrorism destroys the world, it doesn't help it. How can bombing innocents and massacring society help????!!!!!! Terrorism breeds corruption and death. Freedom fighters are not at all like terrorists. They fight for freedom. Terrorists fight for the sake of war. And because they're all messed up.

Hope this helps

Answer 12

It sure could and has, Rome, Egypt, Sparta even fell because of uprisings by people on their borders are in the Case of Sparta those people who were treated as slaves. Spartacus was a terrorist to Rome and not many people today would think of Spartacus as the worst terrorist in history. I sure don't nor do I think of the hundreds of thousands of people who died fighting against empires over the millennial. Were the men and women who stormed the Bastille on that beautiful 14 of July,  Terrorists as Louis capa called them or men women and children of destiny as they truly were.  

The other point then to ask was Revolutionary France a terrorist nation as Austria, Prussia and Russia called it.  The original axis of Evil so to speak. That is what the King of Prussia called it "A Terrorist nation and axis of evil."

For does who were thinking G W could not have come up with such a term himself. I have I think proved he did not.

Answer 13

um, NO! terrorism involves killing people and fear. that's not good for society.

If you kill someome, you cross the line.

Answer 14

Some forget that Nelson Mandela was jailed for terrorist activities. He and his wife were monsters which a long spell inside (for him) seems to have resolved, notice he dumped Winnie Mandella on his release. Some would claim that South Africa is now a better place. yeah right.

Answer 15

the Irish republican army were freedom fighters and yes they did bring about change being forced to kill , pity the british did not just leave when they were asked to leave after stealing our lands , it would have saved a lot of lives

Answer 16

It all depends upon who is calling the shots..  

The terrorists would call themselves freedom fighters, and we call them terrorists..  Point of view.

What you are calling a positive change is also a point of view.   God allows people to be conquered by others when they get into sin and deny him.   He does it for the people's own good so that they will return to their creator..From his point of view it is a positive change, and ours it may not be so positive..

Any revolution does damage as well as good.

Answer 17

The answer is yes.  Terrorists bombed the WTC on 9/11 and now we're going to rid the world of these islamic extremists.