Ethics 8th Edition by Barbara MacKinnon,Andrew Fiala

Exercise 2

Terrorism. Marta has expressed sympathy for rebels fighting in country X. These rebels have been fighting against an unjust and malicious regime. The regime has killed innocent civilians and has an awful record of human rights violations. The rebellion started as a nonviolent protest in the streets. But now the rebels have taken up arms and are actively fighting government forces. They have begun to employ terror tactics, exploding car bombs in the city center in the capital. Marta supports the rebel cause and has even bought a T-shirt with a slogan from the rebel campaign on it. Marta's roommate, Andrea, is appalled. Andrea tells her, "How can you wear a T-shirt celebrating terrorists? They kill innocent people. Even if their cause is just, the rebels have crossed the line. They're murderers. All terrorists are simply murderers." Marta replies, "That's easy for you to say because you're not suffering under a repressive government. The rebels are justified in doing whatever it takes to bring down the government. The government forces are ruthless and strong-the rebels have to use terrorism: it's their only tool."
Whom do you agree with here: Marta or Andrea? Is terrorism justified as a tool of last resort? Or is terrorism always murder? Explain your answer, making use of concepts employed in discussions of realism, just war theory, and pacifism.