ABSTRACT

How do terrorists become politicians? This book embraces a series of comparative case studies in order to examine important issues regarding the relationship between terrorism and political processes. It identifies the characteristics necessary for the transition from a 'terrorist' organization to a political party and situates this within broader debates about substantive ethical concerns motivating the distinction between legitimate politics and illegitimate violence. The volume offers a presentation of how some terrorist groups see the world in which they live. It also provides an understanding of how established democracies such as the US react to the phenomenon of the terrorist-politician transition. This is a useful resource for students and scholars of international relations, political ethics and comparative politics.

chapter |12 pages

Introduction

The Transition Process

chapter Chapter 1|16 pages

A Successful ‘Turn Over'

The African National Congress Moves from Sabotage to a Legitimate Political Force and from Apartheid to Democracy

chapter Chapter 2|22 pages

Hezbollah

From a Terrorist Group to a Political Party – Social Work as a Key to Politics

chapter Chapter 3|16 pages

Political Movements in the Making

The Irish Republican Army and Sinn Féin

chapter Chapter 5|16 pages

The Islamic Resistance Movement in Palestine (Hamas)

A Successful Transition, but will it Survive?

chapter Chapter 6|22 pages

The Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine

A Wild Card in Palestinian Politics?

chapter Chapter 7|16 pages

The Islamic Salvation Front

Transition FIS-Style

chapter Chapter 8|16 pages

Failed Attempts

The Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) and the Union Patriotica (UP)

chapter Chapter 9|20 pages

Transition in the Philippines

The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Abu Sayyaf's Group (ASG)

chapter Chapter 10|10 pages

Terrorism all the Way! Nihilist Groups

The Example of Al Qaeda

chapter |10 pages

Conclusion

Toward a Transition Theory and its Implications