NCJ Number
191036
Date Published
2000
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This chapter provided a working definition of terrorism from a number of perspectives including understanding the concept of behavior as a continuum and the role of folkways, mores, and laws in developing societal groups.
Abstract
In this chapter an attempt was made to lay a good foundation to assist a student's understanding in the study of terrorism and terrorist acts. Terrorism is a complex, multifaceted, and often baffling subject. Those involved in terrorism have a way of rising to prominence, splintering, disappearing for years, and then reappearing. Incidents proliferate across the world; some can trigger a chain of events that would destabilize a whole region and bring nations to the edge of ruin. At the same time, major terrorist actions can shock for a short while and then be quickly forgotten. Treaties are written, theories propounded, grievances aired, and tactics are discussed occasionally. Causes are picked up by the world's media, examined, probed, and sometimes overlooked until the next tragedy. Defining terrorism is seen as a difficult but not impossible task. The term must be carefully constructed in order to project the intended meaning. 30 endnotes