"Us" and "Them" in Terrorist Discourse: Language as a Tool for Mobilization

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 2 Sayı: 1, 23 - 46, 07.03.2025

Pınar Erdaş

Öz

This study examines the role of the "us" and "them" dichotomy in terrorist discourse within the processes of group identity construction, mobilization, and ideological legitimization. By comparing the discourses of religious and ethnically motivated terrorist organizations, the study analyzes how this dichotomy is used to strengthen in-group solidarity and to otherize out-groups. Developed within the framework of Berger and Luckmann's social constructionism theory and Tajfel and Turner's social identity theory, this analysis reveals the central role of language in the construction of social realities and identities by terrorist groups. The findings indicate that religiously motivated organizations attribute sacred and moral superiority to the "us" pronoun while framing the "them" pronoun as threatening and hostile. In contrast, ethnically motivated organizations employ the "us" pronoun to define a positive group identity based on historical grievances and national identity, while depicting the "them" pronoun as oppressive and invasive. The study details how the linguistic and discursive tools of terrorist discourse effectively legitimize violence, sustain ideological continuity, and mobilize group members. In conclusion, the "us" and "them" dichotomy is highlighted as a critical tool for shaping social realities and deepening conflicts in alignment with the ideological objectives of terrorist groups. In this context, the research aims to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of terrorist discourses.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Terrorist Discourse, "Us" and "Them", Identity Construction, Mobilization, Social Identity Theory

Terörist Söylemde 'Biz' ve 'Onlar': Mobilizasyon ve Meşruiyet Aracı Olarak Dil

Öz

Bu çalışma terörist söylemlerde kullanılan "biz" ve "onlar" ayrımını grup kimliği inşası, mobilizasyon ve ideolojik meşruiyet süreçlerindeki rolü açısından incelemektedir. Araştırmada dini ve etnik temelli terör örgütlerinin söylemleri karşılaştırılarak yapılan ayrımın grup içi dayanışmayı güçlendirme ve grup dışını ötekileştirme stratejilerinde nasıl kullanıldığı analiz edilmiştir. Berger ve Luckmann'ın sosyal inşacılık teorisi ile Tajfel ve Turner'ın sosyal kimlik teorisi çerçevesinde çalışılan bu inceleme dilin terörist grupların toplumsal gerçeklik ve kimlik inşasında merkezi bir araç olduğunu ortaya koymayı amaçlamaktadır. Bulgular, dini temelli örgütlerin "biz" zamirine kutsal ve ahlaki bir üstünlük atfederken, "onlar" zamirini tehdit edici ve düşmanlaştırıcı bir çerçeve içinde kullandığını; etnik temelli örgütlerin ise "biz" zamirini tarihsel mağduriyetler ve ulusal kimlik bağlamında pozitif bir grup tanımı için, "onlar" zamirini ise baskıcı ve işgalci bir güç olarak tanımlamak için kullandığını göstermektedir. Çalışma, terörist söylemin dilsel ve söylemsel araçlarının şiddetin meşrulaştırılmasında, ideolojik sürekliliğin sağlanmasında ve grup üyelerinin mobilizasyonunda nasıl etkili olduğunu detaylandırmaktadır. Çalışmada "biz" ve "onlar" ayrımının terörist grupların ideolojik hedefleri doğrultusunda toplumsal gerçeklikleri şekillendirme ve çatışmaları derinleştirme açısından kritik bir öneme sahip olduğu vurgulanmaktadır. Bu bağlamda yapılan araştırma terörist söylemler üzerine daha kapsamlı bir anlayış geliştirilmesine katkı sunmayı hedeflemektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Terörist Söylem, "Biz" ve "Onlar", Mobilizasyon, Sosyal Kimlik Teorisi, Kimlik İnşası

Kaynakça

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