what makes a terrorist?

Answer 1

Simply put: A lunatic.

Answer 2

I think, first off, that you need to have some pretty desperate people who are without much hope.

That comes in at least two forms - they must be at a huge disadvantage against an adversary, and they probably have no hope for economic prosperity.

Desperate situtations make people do desperate things. I think you will find these two situations are almost aways both present in situations were terrorist actions are being used regularly on a large scale.

There are also the isolated incidents, like Timothy McVeigh which have one of the elements but also involve what is probably a deranged mind.

Answer 3

nobody. It's a derogatory word used by propagandists.

It is supposed to be reserved for those who inflict death and violence on civilians for the express purpose of frightening a population into agreeing to their demands.

In reality it is used mainly by governments to describe anyone who opposes them with arms. Read today's paper, I bet you'll find a quote from a U.S. military officer describing people attacking U.S. soldiers as "terrorists." But attacking soldiers in an occupying army - indeed, attacking any military - is not the act of a terrorist, and responsible journalists avoid this usage strictly except in quotations. The word "insurgent" is used instead.

For the very few people who fit the proper, non-propagandist meaning of "terrorist," they aren't evil. They're driven to their actions by first believing strongly enough in a cause that it becomes more important to them than the lives of the general public. Second, they invariably have no alternative way to achieve their goal.

Answer 4

It's the same thing that causes people to join cults. People are looking for something to believe in, they're looking for some way to make a difference. Granted, terrorists aren't making a POSITIVE difference, but they've been so brainwashed that they think it's the only way to make things better.
It's really sad if you ask me.

Answer 5

One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter.
You decide.

Answer 6

If you really don't know, why not Google it?
Or, are you making a political statement?
Maybe creating terror would be the answer.

Answer 7

A person who thinks its okay to kill another human being, because they can't make them believe like they themselves think. A murderer, a dumb, manipulated hate-filled person, with no hope, no love, no care, no concern, and no self-asteem, for themselves. A Muslim, in most cases.

Answer 8

The deliberate attack of citizens it order to protest a government.

Answer 9

an individual who's sole purpose in life is to inflict as much terror on the population as is possible, he has no goals so he can't be negotiated with.