Terrorism
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Lindsey Hoffman
March 2, 2004
Terrorism
The definition of terrorism has changed many times following its popularization during the French Revolution, in which it referred to the connotation of the regime de a terreur of 1793 to '94. Today, the contemporary definition of terrorism is the "deliberate creation and exploitation of fear through violence or the threat of violence in the pursuit of political change." (Hoffman, p.43) It is intended to have far- reaching psychological repercussions beyond the immediate victim or object on a larger "target audience," through which fear can be instilled so as to intimidate. Through the publicity and intimidation "generated by their violence, terrorists seek to obtain the leverage, influence and power they otherwise lacked to effect political change on a local or international scale." (p.44) Terrorism is a planned, calculated, and systematic act. It is perpetrated by a subnational group or non-state entity, led by an identifiable chain of command or a conspiratorial cell structure. In addition, terrorists use tactics similar to that of guerrilla warfare, such as bombings, kidnapping and assassination, but do not function in the open as armed units. What is most important to remember in distinguishing terrorism from other acts of violence, is political aim...