Terrorist organizations gain social acceptance when legitimized by national or religious division

Evidence

In cases of nationalist or separatist terrorism, the concept of negative identity acquires a more subtle meaning. To become a violent revolutionary in the cause of Croatian, Basque, or Irish independence is not a totally negative identification. There is much more social approval within the minority community for such actions than there is for violent undergrounds in homogeneous Western societies or liberal states, where nonviolent means for expressing opposition exist. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 4127 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Terrorists seek social disapproval that confirms their adopted negative identity. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 4162; Separatist terrorism offers positive identity within a minority community, not just negative rejection — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 4127; Religious altruism turns violent only under perceived group threat in asymmetric conflict — Norenzayan, Ara, Big gods - how religion transformed…, 540 (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• Separatist terrorism offers positive identity within a minority community, not just negative rejection #complicates (0.80) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 4127