Justification of violence by terrorist organisations: Comparing ISIS and PKK

Abstract

The question of whether or not violence is an acceptable form of action to achieve social, political and economic goals is still an important topic of discussion for intellectuals. Analogous to this debate, another issue exists: the question of how groups relying on violence justify their actions. This article discusses the doctrinal and utilitarian justification of violence by terrorist organisations by examining and comparing two internationally recognised terrorist organisations — ISIS and PKK — directly and indirectly threatening the security of many states and destabilising international efforts to counterterrorism in Syria. In normal circumstances, the use of violence results in self-condemnation and self-sanction. However, terrorist organisations try to make their violent acts personally and socially acceptable by using diverse methods. Greater justification is needed in order to achieve “aggressive intentions.” The main division made in the literature is the distinction between normative and utilitarian justifications. Ideology and doctrine play the key roles in normative justification, whereas value-based calculations are at the core of utilitarian justification. Differences and similarities in the doctrines, the process of enemy creation, identity politics and rational calculations of violence are examined for both organisations. This discussion should not be confused either with discussions on the causes of existence or the goals of these terrorist organisations, or with the debate on the status of these groups. However, when trying to justify their acts, these organisations do make use of certain extant but latent discontent and deprivation that form a breeding ground for violent political action. Let the goal of Jihad be that the word of Allah becomes the highest —Abu Hamzah al-Muhajir We will also give our lives to the cause you have fallen for Every time we look at the black barrel [of our gun] we will remember you guerrilla —PKK propaganda song “Delila Ha Gerila”