National Liberation Front of Corsica (FLNC) and Martha Crenshaw’s ‘The Causes of Terrorism’

1 National Liberation Front of Corsica (FLNC) and Martha Crenshaw’s ‘The Causes of Terrorism’ Introduction Martha Crenshaw1 argues that terrorism may take place in contexts of either violent resistance or in a move to serve the interests of the state. The activities of the terrorists are conducted in a way as to force the opposing side to give in to the demands of the terrorist group.

The National Liberation Front of Corsica, or simply FNLC, is an example of a terror group that advocates for liberation of the island of Corsica from French occupation and control2. Their cause is political, with their activities ranging from assault, bombing, extortion, and bank robberies targeted on French infrastructure and general interests, but not the Corsican civilians.

This paper seeks to address FNLC’s main reasons for operation, based on Crenshaw’s investigation on reasons for terrorism in general.

Buy this excellently written paper or order a fresh one from acemyhomework.com

1 2

Martha Crenshaw, “The Causes of Terrorism”, Comparative Politics 13, no. 4 (1981): 379

Institute for the Study of Violent Groups (ISVG), National Liberation Front of Corsica, Violent Extremists and Transnational Crime. 2012, http://vkb.isvg.org/Wiki/Groups/National_Liberation_Front_of_Corsica

2 Reasons for Terrorism According to Martha Crenshaw, the major reason that spurs terrorism activities is search for recognition and attraction of attention in an effort to advertise the terrorists’ cause. Curiosity in humanity is raised through terrorist activities such as bloodshed, creation of suspense, threats and mass violence3. Depending on the size and diversity of audience targeted by terrorists, their activities may escalate to different levels in an effort to capture the attention of that particular audience. For instance, international terrorists may conduct their activities in a more explosive manner as compared to a nationalist group of terrorist seeking attention within a particular state.

An online magazine, RFI, reported a wave of 21 bomb blasts that dreaded the island of Corsica on the eve of 11th May, 20124. Although no one claimed responsibilities over the attacks, a building that stood nearby had the letters FLNC scrawled on its wall. Such an attack is well in line with Crenshaw’s views since no human being was injured. Rather, the attack can be interpreted as a search for attention, and not an attack on perceived enemy.

Crenshaw’s second reason for terrorism is disruption of the process of governance. The argument brought forward in her work is that such an attack would result to demoralization of the officials of the target government and the security apparatus that the government employs. A BBC report on killing of one Claude Erignac, former prefect of Corsica, can match this argument5. Earlier on, FNLC had announced that their truce with French officials had ended; therefore, it was easy to link the terrorist group with the assassination. The attack would definitely instill fear and a sense of insecurity to Erignac’s successors.

3 4

Martha Crenshaw, “The Causes of Terrorism”, Comparative Politics 13, no. 4 (1981): 380

RFI, "Twenty One Blasts over Weekend Rock Corsica", RFI English. 14 May, 2012, http://www.english.rfi.fr/france/20120514-twenty-oneblast-rock-corsica-over-weekend 5 BBC NEWS, "Corsica's top Official Killed", BBC NEWS, February 7, 1998. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/54319.stm

3 Terrorism, according to Crenshaw, may also be aimed at raising emotions such as hostility and fear to the perceived enemy; and on the other hand, sympathy and support in the terrorists’ potential constituency. The major goal of the terrorists in this case is to affect the attitude of the public, either positively or negatively. Attacks on French nationals and use of public gatherings when recruiting members are common practices in FLNC and goes in line with this opinion. The aim of these activities is to scare French nationals and win the sympathy of the people of Corsica6. Attack on holiday homes which FNLC conducted was fuelled by the Corsicans attitude towards foreigners, popularly referred to as ‘continentals’, who owned the holiday homes and the inability of most Corsicans to afford such property7.

The forth reason for terrorism, in Crenshaw’s argument, is provoking counteraction from the “enemy’, usually where the enemy is a government body. The counteraction would then serve to justify the terrorists’ activities to the public and publicize the cause of the terrorists.

Some activities of FNLC have reduced the impression created by French dominance of the island to that of a totally failed regime. They consider the French culture as a legacy of Bonaparte, who came from Corsica8. Responses to such claims by the French government, police patrols after attacks and arrest of FNLC members have popularized the terrorist group.

An internal reason for terrorists’ activities aims at strengthening organizational control, instill discipline and build morale among the members. Competition among rival terrorist groups may spur factional terrorism, where influence is the key goal. Civilians and other initially untargeted groups may fall victim of the terrorists’ battle for influence and control. FNLC was

6 7

Robert, Ramsay, The Corsican Time-Bomb, (Manchester University Press, 1993) 118.

Ceri, Roberts, "Corsican Bombers Target Holiday Homes", Travel News, AOL. July 8, 2012, http://travel.aol.co.uk/2012/07/08/corsicanbombers-target-30-holiday-homes/ 8 Stuart, A. Notholn. Fields of Fire: An Atlas of Ethnic Conflict. (Stuart Notholt Communications, 2008), 38.

4 disorganized in its initial stages, but sabotage to traitors has worked positively towards FNLC’s unity9.

Conclusion The structure and formation of FNCL seems to reflect directly on Crenshaw’s investigations on the major reasons for terrorist activities. Although this particular terrorist group does not target civilians in their attacks, their operations are terroristic in nature and many civilians have fallen victim of these attacks as collateral damages. Crenshaw indicates that terrorist groups may be formed to seek political control, and this is the main cause of FNLC. Therefore, the opinions brought forward in Crenshaw’s work are well founded. .

9

Ibid

5 Bibliography BBC NEWS. "Corsica's top Official Killed." BBC NEWS. February 7, 1998. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/54319.stm Crenshaw, Martha. “The Causes of Terrorism.” Comparative Politics 13, no. 4 (1981): 379-399.

Institute for the Study of Violent Groups (ISVG). National Liberation Front of Corsica. Violent Extremists and Transnational Crime. 2012, http://vkb.isvg.org/Wiki/Groups/National_Liberation_Front_of_Corsica Notholt, A. Stuart. Fields of Fire: An Atlas of Ethnic Conflict. Stuart Notholt Communications, 2008.

Ramsay, Robert. The Corsican Time-Bomb. Manchester University Press, 1993.

RFI. "Twenty One Blasts over Weekend Rock Corsica." RFI English. 14 May, 2012, http://www.english.rfi.fr/france/20120514-twenty-one-blast-rock-corsica-over-weekend Roberts, Ceri. "Corsican Bombers Target Holiday Homes." Travel News, AOL. July 8, 2012, http://travel.aol.co.uk/2012/07/08/corsican-bombers-target-30-holiday-homes/