TERRORISM AS A SOCIAL PHENOMENON

Abstract

The article explores terrorism as a specific social phenomenon. Various points of view on this phenomenon are subjected to critical analysis. It is noted that the differences in literature on this issue are largely due to the fact that each discipline in determining the essence of terrorism proceeds exclusively from its subject and therefore emphasizes in this phenomenon only those elements that are significant in the light of its subject. The article offers an author's understanding of the phenomenon of terrorism. The features of modern terrorism are noted. It is shown that it actually comes down to two types – political and religious. At the same time, religious (especially the so-called “Islamic”) terrorism is religious only in terms of its external form, while in essence it pursues the very specific geopolitical goal set by those who subsidize it, arm and supervise.