What is Violence?
The main purpose of violence is to harm or weaken the other side, either physically or psychologically. Although it is generally defined as physical, manipulation is also a part of violence because it involves the threat of psychological harm.
Violence means more than the social and personal conflicts we see in daily life. At this point, political violence expands this definition. As a tool of politics and manipulation, violence is used by individuals, states, and groups for various political goals. Different ethnic backgrounds, political interests, and ideologies can be sources of violence. This can be classified under racial, ethnic, religious, and regional diversity. Because of this, groups with different racial, ethnic, religious, or ideological identities may suppress or attack each other through violence. Even though the international community often condemns violence but it is still used for political purposes many times.

What is Political Violence?
Political violence is violence used by governments, groups, or individuals to reach political goals. It happens in the political field and can be both physical and psychological. Coups, ethnic cleansing, civil wars, and terrorism can be considered examples of political violence.
Simply, political violence means doing politics through violence. However, we must remember that politics and political speeches can also cause violence.
The backbone of the modern state is the monopoly of legitimate violence. The theory of political society says that a state's power must be based on the consent of its people. That’s why states try to control and limit the use of violence, allowing only themselves to use it legally. But sometimes the violence used by states is also criticized and restricted by the international community.

Types of Political Violence
Political violence is divided into four categories:
• Violence by the state against individuals or groups
• Violence by an individual against another individual
• Violence by a group against an individual
• Violence by a group against another group

1. State Violence Against Individuals or Groups
   The state’s monopoly on violence makes state violence seem legal. It can prosecute, arrest, or punish individuals or groups who break the law. This type of force based on law and order is called Establishment Violence.
   The state's main tools are its army and police. Courts and prison systems are also part of the state's power.
   In the 20th century, executions, massacres, civil wars, and artificial famines by governments caused more deaths than wars. So, political violence should not be underestimated.
   Examples of state violence include the use of force by governments in Libya, Yemen, and Syria against opposition groups. In communist regimes, the actions of Stalin and Mao are also examples.
2. Individual Violence Against Another Individual
   Personal fights or crimes like theft, murder or robbery between two people are not seen as political violence.
   One person cannot use violence against another without state permission.
   However, sometimes violence between individuals can be political; for example, if members of parliament attack each other because of political disagreements.
   Because of polarized politics, people may attack others based on their identity.
3. Group Violence Against an Individual
   Terrorism is a kind of group violence. It is the use of terror to achieve a political goal.
   Terrorist attacks often target civilians in public places and aim to create fear in society.
   Examples include the 2022 bombing in Taksim, the 9/11 attacks, and the 2011 Norway massacre.
   Sometimes assassinations seem to be done by one person, but they may actually be planned by a group.
   Therefore, assassinations are also considered group violence. For example, the killings of Indira Gandhi and her son Rajiv Gandhi in India, or the assassination of US President Kennedy, may have involved groups.
4. Group Violence Against Another Group
   When national groups unite to gain political independence, this is called Nation-Based Violence.
   Today, most armed conflicts are not between countries but between national or ethnic groups.
   For example, the violent clashes between Hindus and Muslims in India, or the conflicts between Shia and Sunni groups in the Middle East, where tens or even hundreds of thousands of people have died.

The goal of political violence may be to bring justice. But does it really bring justice? Can political violence ever be legitimate? These are open questions.
We need to clearly separate political violence from terrorism.
Some states may be considered terrorist states. Still, some forms of political violence are seen as legitimate by the public.
Even if the goals seem similar, the methods are different. So, not all political violence is terrorism, and not all terrorism is politically motivated.
When political violence turns into terrorism, we call it political terrorism.
Violence is both a tool and a condition of terrorism. Terrorism openly challenges the will of the people. It aims to create chaos and seeks authoritarian control through fear and pressure.
In democracies, governments usually do not support violence. But when they are weak, they may start to use it.
It should be remembered that fighting political violence and terrorism is not only the job of security forces and the military. it is also the duty of local and international communities.

Yasir Güneş