Who are individuals that use violence to achieve political aims?

Individuals who use violence to achieve political aims are classified as terrorists. This designation is based on their deliberate choice to employ violent acts as a means to instill fear, coerce, or provoke change regarding political issues or agendas. Terrorism not only targets specific entities, such as governments or civilian populations, but also aims to draw attention to a cause, often leveraging fear as a strategy to influence broader societal or governmental structures.

In contrast, soldiers operate under the command of organized military forces, typically adhering to the rules of engagement and international laws governing armed conflict. Their goal is to achieve military objectives within a structured framework rather than pursue political aims through indiscriminate violence.

Politicians typically engage in debate, legislation, and policy-making to achieve political aims through legal and institutional means, without resorting to violence. While some may support or enact policies that lead to conflict, they do not personally employ violence as a mechanism for accomplishing their objectives.

Activists work to promote social or political change through various forms of advocacy and peaceful protest. While there are instances of activists who might endorse radical measures, the fundamental characteristic of terrorism lies in its inherent violence aimed explicitly at inducing fear and coercion. Thus, the distinction is clear: terrorists explicitly utilize violence as a