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Psicothema was founded in Asturias (northern Spain) in 1989, and is published jointly by the Psychology Faculty of the University of Oviedo and the Psychological Association of the Principality of Asturias (Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos del Principado de Asturias).
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Psicothema, 2002. Vol. Vol. 14 (Suplem.1). 72-77




Construcción del discurso legitimador del terrorismo

José Manuel Sabucedo, Mauro Rodríguez Casal, Concepción Fernández Fernández

Universidad de Santiago de Compostela

I

El recurso a la violencia y al terror para el logro de objetivos políticos plantea, en principio, un dilema: por una parte, su utilización puede resultar eficaz para la consecución de las metas deseadas; pero, por otra, atenta contra los códigos morales de la mayor parte de las sociedades. Por esta última razón, los grupos que optan por el uso de la violencia, necesitan construir un discurso que legitime sus acciones y poder así obtener el apoyo de algunos sectores de la población. En la construcción de ese discurso se utilizan los siguientes elementos: existencia de un conflicto altamente relevante para el grupo, culpabilizar al adversario de la situación de violencia existente, deslegitimar a las víctimas y victimización del grupo agresor.

The construction of discourse which legitimise terrorism. In principle, the use of violence and terror to achieve political objectives proposes a dilemma: on one hand, it may be an efficient means to an end, but on the other it is a direct attack on the moral codes of most societies. For this latter reason, the groups which chose to use violence need to construct a discourse which legitimises their actions, making it possible for them to obtain support from some sections of society. The following elements are used in constructing this discourse: the existence of a conflict which is of great relevance to the group, blaming their adversaries for the existing state of violence, delegitimising victims, and victimising the aggressor group.

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