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Political Assassination in Guatemala: A Case of Institutionalized Terror

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Daniel L. Premo
Daniel L. Premo*
Affiliation:
Department of Political Science and International Studies, Washington College, Chestertown, Maryland
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Extract

There was but one side to politics in Guatemala. Both parties have a beautiful way of producing unanimity of opinion, by driving out of the country all who do not agree with them.

—John Lloyd Stephens (1839)

The concepts of “political assassination” and “terrorism” are fraught with definitional problems. For purposes of this study, the former will be defined simply as “murder for political motives.” It is one of a series of acts that collectively are intended to produce a psychological state of fear and uncertainty within the general population, i.e., “terrorism,” in an effort to direct political activity through intimidation.

Assassination is usually thought of as a terroristic act associated with opposition political groups. This article examines its use as a mechanism of control by government and private groups who perceive a threat to their privileged position in society.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Interamerican Studies and World Affairs , Volume 23 , Issue 4 , November 1981 , pp. 429 - 456
Copyright
Copyright © University of Miami 1981

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