ABSTRACT

This chapter discusses why some groups decide that it is more rational to no longer use violence to achieve their political objectives. It examines certain conditions that make it less useful for terrorist and guerrilla groups to continue to use political violence and more useful to join political systems as legitimate actors. The chapter provides some discussion of former terrorist and guerrilla groups both inside and outside Middle East including Irish Republican Army (IRA)/Sinn Fein of Ireland, Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)/Fatah of Palestine, and Irgun/Likud Party of Israel. It discusses all of former terrorist and guerrilla groups that have become legitimate, fully accepted political parties in their respective states despite their past actions pursuing terrorist violence. Former terrorist and guerrilla groups must go through series of steps to transform themselves into non-violent parties, including the renouncing of violence, shifts in objectives, creation of political wings or party organizations, acceptance of status quo political institutions, recognition by governments, and domestic mobilization.