Militant vs Terrorist
In recent times, the terms “militants” and “terrorists” have seen a significant increase in usage, leading to confusion regarding whether an act of violence was carried out by terrorists or militants. This confusion arises due to the lack of a universally accepted definition of a terrorist and the fact that those involved in armed struggles against establishments often object to being labeled as terrorists. They prefer the term “militant” as if they are part of a government militia. Media outlets also contribute to this confusion as they may have a soft leaning towards a cause or a banned group that takes up arms against a state or administration. In this article, we will examine these two terms and try to identify their differences.
Key Takeaways
- A militant refers to a person who is a member of an organization and is trying to achieve its objectives, often through the use of violence.
- A terrorist is a person who uses violence to create terror in the minds of the establishment, targeting innocent civilians and government installations for publicity and to draw attention to their cause.
- While both terms involve the use of violence, a militant is more focused on achieving political goals, while a terrorist aims to create fear and terror in the wider population.
