Terror breeds terrorists

Abstract

Terrorism can be carried out by the state or by its citizens. The latter may be labelled ‘freedom fighters’ or ‘terrorists’ depending on the political context. One of the most important aetiological factors driving Islamic terrorists is the experience of alienation and shame. This sense of being made to feel totally invalidated, of feeling worthless in the eyes of the other, is at the root of rage and violent revenge, implying that the way the current ‘War on Terror’ is being fought by the United States and the United Kingdom can only lead to more terrorism and danger for our society.

Keywords:

• Alienation
• al-Qaida
• Dehumanisation
• Humiliation
• Jihad
• Narcissistic rage
• Religious fundamentalism
• Shame
• Terrorism
• Violence

Acknowledgement

This paper is based on a presentation to the meeting, The Time Bomb of Terrorism, at the Royal Society of Medicine, London, on 22 April 2005.