A Visual Study of the Persistence of "Terrorism": Republican Sinn Féin "Activists", not Terrorists

• In Event: 2483 - Section on Collective Behavior and Social Movements Refereed Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 15. Violence and Authoritarianism

Abstract

Drawing on images of two public events associated with the political party Republican Sinn Féin (which has been formally designated a “foreign terrorist organization” by the US Department of State), I argue that small group political violence — “terrorism” — persists for the same reasons that peaceful protest persists. Like activists in exclusively peaceful social movement organizations, “terrorists” engage in non-violent (and violent) activities that promote camaraderie, commitment, and solidarity, and “abeyance structures” support the persistence of their activism. In addition, overzealous policing of non-violent political events contributes to this camaraderie and solidarity. A range of political activities is available to peaceful and violent activists and there is overlap in their strategic choices. In this sense, it is better to view “terrorists” as social movement “activists” and “terrorism” as “simply politics by other means.”

Author

• Robert W. White, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis