CONCEPTUAL DILEMMA OF TERRORISM

Abstract

Terrorism is not a new phenomenon.The world has experienced it,in different face and different demonstration since ancient times.It has a long history, but scholars have not yet agreed  on a single definition of the concept. This article seeks to explore the evolution of terrorism and the reasons why it is problematic to find an all-encompassing definition. Its aim is to identify the phenomenon of terrorism, distinguish it from violence and force, and define its characteristics that have not gained consensus so far. This article pursues a qualitative, descriptive and-analytical method based on secondary sources. The study reveals similarities and differences in the understanding of terrorism and sheds light on the elements that are considered critical to the definition.. The controversy around the definition of terrorism as an element of insurgency, guerrilla warfare or political violence, as a method or a strategy, as a tactic or a system is still present. The article concludes that it might not be beneficial do dogmatically fix the definition of terrorism, while attempting to manage the phenomenon, but instead consider it as a process that requires comprehensive approaches and solutions.