Plundering

Plundering is the forcible taking of property by force or coercion, typically occurring during conflict, civil unrest, or other breakdowns of order. It involves the seizure of goods or valuables without legal authority and is usually accompanied by violence or intimidation. In historical terms, plunder is closely related to pillage and looting, but modern usage often emphasizes unlawful or predatory seizure rather than sanctioned spoils of war.

In warfare and occupation, plundering has involved troops or occupying forces expropriating resources from towns, churches, merchants, and individuals. Notable episodes from various eras are described as sackings or looting. In international law, pillage and related acts are prohibited; the laws of armed conflict seek to protect civilian property and regulate requisition, often requiring compensation or limiting seizure to military necessity. Violations can be prosecuted as war crimes or other serious offenses, depending on context and scale.

In contemporary usage, plundering also refers to post-disaster looting and to corrupt or predatory extraction of resources by authorities or organizations. The term remains a strong negative label for unlawful taking of property, contrasted with lawful confiscation or compensation-based requisition.