Essentials of Terrorism: Concepts and Controversies is a concise resource for understanding modern terrorism. This briefer version of Martin's popular text Understanding Terrorism, Second Edition, can be readily used in conjunction with other resources such as Martin's The New Era of Terrorism collection of readings, or with other supplemental texts or journal articles. The content of Essentials of Terrorism: Concepts and Controversies is directed to academic and professional courses of instruction whose subject areas include terrorism, homeland security, international security, criminal justice administration, political conflict, armed conflict, and social movements. It can also be incorporated into academic conferences and professional training seminars covering international and homeland security studies, criminal justice administration, the attributes of terrorism and extremism, conflict resolution, and related subjects of inquiry. The intended level of instruction is flexible: As a stand-alone text, it is suitable for introductory undergraduate classes.When used in conjunction with other resources, the level of instruction can be adapted to upper-division undergraduate and master's-level classes. If used in conjunction with professional manuals, Essentials of Terrorism: Concepts and Controversies is suitable for professional practitioners who require instruction in understanding terrorism.

Table of Contents

Part I: Understanding Terrorism: A Conceptual Review Chapter 1: Defining Terrorism Understanding Political Extremism Formal and Informal Definitions Terrorists or Freedom Fighters? Chapter Summary Chapter 2: Historical Perspectives and Ideological Origins Historical Perspectives on Terrorism Ideological Origins of Terrorism September 11, 2001 and the New Era of Terrorism Chapter Summary Chapter 3: Causes of Terrorist Violence Political Violence as the Fruit of Injustice Political Violence as Strategic Choice The Morality of Political Violence Chapter Summary Part II: Terrorist Environments Chapter 4: Terrorism by the State Perspectives on Terrorism by Governments Domestic Terrorism by the State Terrorism as Foreign Policy Chapter Summary Chapter 5: Terrorism by Dissidents Perspectives on Violent Dissent The Practice of Dissident Terrorism Dissidents and the New Terrorism Chapter Summary Chapter 6: Religious Terrorism Historical Perspectives on Religious Violence The Practice of Religious Terrorism Trends and Projections Chapter Summary Chapter 7: International Terrorism Understanding International Terrorism International Terrorist Networks The International Dimension of the New Terrorism Chapter Summary Chapter 8: Domestic Terrorism in the United States Extremism in America Leftist Terrorism in the United States Right-Wing Terrorism in the United States Chapter Summary Part III: The Terrorist Battleground Chapter 9: Terrorist Violence and the Role of the Media Understanding the Role of the Media Mass Communications and the War for Information Chapter Summary Chapter 10: Tactics and Targets of Terrorists Understanding Terrorist Objectives The Terrorists' Arsenal Terrorist Targets Chapter Summary Chapter 11: Counterterrorism and the War on Terrorism The Use of Force Operations Other Than War Legalistic Reponses Chapter Summary Chapter 12: Future Trends and Projections What Does the Future Hold? Revisiting the War on Terrorism Chapter Summary Appendix A: Map References Appendix B: National Intelligence Estimate: The Terrorist Threat to the US Homeland Glossary Index

Author Biography

C. Augustus "Gus" Martin is Assistant Vice President for Faculty Affairs at California State University, Dominguez Hills, where he is also the former chair of the Department of Public Administration & Public Policy. He has served on the faculty of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh, where he was an Administration of Justice professor. His research and professional interests are terrorism and extremism, juvenile justice, administration of justice, and fair housing. He has served as a panelist for university and community symposia and interviews on the subjects of administration of justice, terrorism, and fair housing. He has also been a consultant to government and private agencies. Prior to joining academia, he was a "floor" legislative assistant to Congressman Charles B. Rangel of New York and Special Counsel to the Attorney General of the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition, he served as managing attorney for the Fair Housing Partnership of Greater Pittsburgh, where he was also director of a program created under a federal consent decree to desegregate public and assisted housing.