Assassinations, Political

Nachman Ben-Yehuda*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Political assassinations and executions are analyzed from moral and pragmatic angles. The development of assassinations is traced, its theoretical foundations are explored and a constructivist definitional approach is taken to the subject. Based on the specificity of the target and the moral basis, assassinations are set apart from terror, and the different distinctions between terror, state sponsored terror, assassinations and executions are presented and explained. The impact and results of assassinations and executions are discussed in a cross cultural perspective, concluding that these forms of killing can be viewed as an alternative, and lethal, form of political justice. The article ends with a discussion of the moral dimension and suggess a list of further reading.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEncyclopedia of Violence, Peace, and Conflict
PublisherElsevier Inc.
Pages140-153
Number of pages14
ISBN (Print)9780123739858
DOIs
StatePublished - 2008

Keywords

  • Assassinations
  • Constructivism
  • Executions
  • Justice
  • Legitimacy
  • Morality
  • Murder
  • Organized crime
  • Political
  • State sponsored terror
  • Terror

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