NCJ Number
109024
Date Published
1987
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Although there has been a dramatic increase in the interest in terrorism, no consensus exists on a definition of terrorism.
Abstract
Two attempts to provide operational definitions have been undertaken by the Rand Corporation's Chronology of International Terrorism and the International Attributes of Terrorist Events (ITERATE) Project. While not without flaws, these offer a reasonable working approach to data gathering. Despite the differing definitions of terrorism, there is a certain congruence concerning the critical elements of terrorism. A content analysis of 109 definitions indicates that 83.5 percent mention an element of violence or force, political intent is cited by 65 percent, and an emphasis on fear or terror is mentioned by 51 percent. Other elements include threat (47 percent), psychological effects and anticipated reactions (41.5 percent), a distinction between victims and actual targets (37.5 percent), method of combat or strategy (30.5 percent), lack of humanitarian constraints (30 percent), and use of coercion or extortion to induce compliance (28 percent). Publicity and the act's impersonal or indiscriminate character are cited by 21.5 and 21 percent. Other elements occurring at frequencies between 17.5 and 13.5 percent are emphasis on civilian victims, intimidation, innocence of victims, a group as perpertrator, and the act's symbolic nature. These elements provide a basis for a definition of terrorism. 33 notes.