Research on Contemporary Oppositional Political Terrorism in the United States: Merits, Drawbacks and Suggestions for Improvement (From Political Crime in Contemporary America: A Critical Approach, P 101-120, 1993, Kenneth D Tunnell, ed. -- See NCJ-151279)

• NCJ Number: 151282
• Author(s): J I Ross
• Date Published: 1993
• Length: 20 pages
• Sale Source: Garland Publishing, Inc.
• Publication Type: Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This analysis of the literature on terrorism in the United States concludes that research approaches are needed that are more definitionally and conceptually rigorous, nonideological, methodologically sophisticated, and theoretically appropriate.

Abstract

Such approaches will prevent researchers, policymakers, and government from reaching inappropriate conclusions or targeting as terrorists those individuals and groups which are involved in legitimate protest, dissent, and advocacy. Oppositional political terrorism make up by far the greatest number of documented incidents of political crime in the United States and were most prominent during the 1960's and 1970's. Information about terrorism can be found in many sources, including the mass media, government reports, and academic literature. The literature has many drawbacks, including definitional, conceptual, ideological, theoretical, and methodological problems. Systematic efforts are needed to address these problems to provide accurate information about the nature and scope of the problem and avoid inappropriate responses. Recommendations, notes, and 52 references