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The word militant has come to refer to any individual or party engaged in aggressive physical or verbal combat, normally for a cause. Journalists often use ''militant'' as a neutral term for soldiers who do not belong to an established Military . Typically, a ''militant'' engages in Violence as part of a claimed struggle for achievement of a political goal. Popular usage sometimes sees "militants" as synonymous with Terrorists , though perhaps characterised with a slightly less Loaded Term . The term "militant state" colloquially refers to a state which holds an aggressive posture in support of an Ideology or cause. In French the term "militant" retains a more moderate meaning of "activist" which it formerly had in English. Characteristics of militancy Persons described as ''militants'' -- either individuals or groups (composed of citizens) -- have usually enrolled and trained for . The term usually implies aggressive and vigorous support of a cause, as in the phrases ''militant protest'' or ''Church militant''. Some militant views have an inherent implication of intolerance. The work and support of militants commonly occurs within the limits of international law, humanity, and Civil Disobedience . The term ''militant'' can describe those who aggressively and violently promote a political philosophy in the name of a movement (and sometimes have an extreme solution for their goal). Sample goals of modern militants may include establishing Dictatorship s or establishing a single World Government . The various movements that seek to apply militancy as a solution, or who use militancy to rationalize their solutions for issues in the modern world seldom share common tactics. Traits shared by many militants include: # employing force or violence directly, either in offence or in defence # justifying the use of force using the ideological rhetoric of their particular group A ''militant view'' sometimes constitutes an extremist's position. A person or group in a psychologically ''militant state'' expresses a physically aggressive posture while in support of an Ideology or of a cause. Potential legal restrictions One could argue that those resisting a foreign military occupation do not merit the label ''terrorists'' because their acts of political violence against the military targets of a foreign occupier do not violate International Law . Protocol 1 of the Geneva Conventions gives lawful combatant status to those engaging in armed conflicts against alien (or foreign) Occupation , Colonial Domination and Racist Régime s. Non-uniformed Guerrilla s also gain combatant status if they carry Arms openly during Military Operation s. Protocol 1 does not legitimise attacks on Civilian s by militants who fall into these categories, however. Etymology of the word The word ''militant'' comes from the 15th Century Latin "''militare''" meaning "to serve as a Soldier ". The related modern concept of the Militia as a defensive Organization against invaders grew out of the Anglo-Saxon "fyrd". In times of crisis, the Militiaman left his Civilian duties and became a soldier until the emergency was over, when he returned to his Civilian status. Mass media usage of the word The Mass Media often uses the term "''militant''" in the context of Terrorism . Journalists often apply the term ''militant'' to movements using Terrorism as a tactic. The mass media also has repeatedly called terrorist organizations ''militant groups'' or ''radical militants''. The terms often serve to avoid placing the label '' Terrorism '' on individuals or groups who have not actually committed violent acts. Newspapers, magazines, and other information sources may deem ''militant'' a neutral term, whereas ''terrorist'' conventionally indicates disapproval of the behavior of the individual or organization so labelled, regardless of the motivations for such behavior. ''Militant'', othertimes, can refer to any individual engaged in Warfare , a fight, Combat , or generally serving as a Soldier . Examples Militants occur across the Political Spectrum , including White Supremacist s, Separatist s, Abortion opponents, and Environmentalist s. Examples of Left-wing , Right-wing , and Special Interest militants include militant Reformer s, militant Feminist s, militant Animal Rights advocates, and Anarchist s. Fundamendalist Christian militants engage in constant warfare against the Christian Church 's enemies (though Fundamentalism itself does not, by definition, class as militant). The phrase '' Militant Islam '' can suggest (excessively) violent and aggressive political activity by Islamic individuals, groups, movements, or governments. The label ''militant'' often becomes attached to Palestinian s who express the intention of committing or supporting violent actions. Such actions may include attacks on Israeli Soldier s and Israeli Civilian s on behalf of Palestinian Nationalism and of Palestinian Statehood ; or in attempts to Annihilate Israel . Also, there is militant activity to protest the occupation by Israeli forces. The term ''guerrilla'' may serve a similar purpose. In the opinion of many Israelis, some media groups use the term ''militant'' (in the context of Israel) to describe people whom those same groups would call ''terrorists'' in the context of any other country. Such Israelis may hold the opinion that those media groups do this out of bias, to downplay the severity of attacks on Israelis. See also Compare and contrast these related articles:
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