THE PHENOMENON OF TERRORISM: UNDERSTANDING THE ESSENCE

Abstract

The essence of the phenomenon of terrorism and its main features is revealed. Above all, violence is a significant sign of terrorism. There are three types of theories explaining the sources of violence: the first type unites those concepts that derive violence from human nature; the second - derives the use of violence from the economic and social conditions of society; the third - connects violence with the dynamics of conflict. When carrying out terrorist actions, one should take into account the obvious and latent elements of violence. The obvious element of violence is connected with the implementation of direct terrorist acts, the latent element of violence is connected with the fact that the terrorist act launches the mechanism of compelling people to do as way demanded by terrorists. The author’s Definition of terrorism is proposed.