This document discusses definitions of terrorism and extremism. It defines extremism as intolerance of beliefs and how they are expressed, though violence is not always present. Common traits of violent extremists are listed as intolerance, moral absolutes, broad conclusions, and conspiratorial beliefs. Extremists see the world differently than nonextremists and believe unjust forces oppose true believers. There is no single definition of terrorism adopted in the US, but definitions focus on premeditated violence against people or property to intimidate and influence policy for political reasons. Types of terrorism include state, dissident, religious, criminal, and international terrorism.

1. Chapter 2:Chapter 2:
The Nature of the BeastThe Nature of the Beast
Defining TerrorismDefining Terrorism
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Edition. (c) SAGE Publications 2016

2.  Defining ExtremismDefining Extremism
 Common Characteristics of Violent ExtremistsCommon Characteristics of Violent Extremists
 The World of the ExtremistThe World of the Extremist
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3.  Defining ExtremismDefining Extremism
 Intolerance inIntolerance in whatwhat someone believes.someone believes.
 Intolerance inIntolerance in howhow someone expresses their beliefs.someone expresses their beliefs.
 Violent expression is not a universal characteristic.Violent expression is not a universal characteristic.
Martin, Understanding Terrorism Fifth
Edition. (c) SAGE Publications 2016

4.  Common Characteristics of Violent ExtremistsCommon Characteristics of Violent Extremists
 Intolerance.Intolerance.
 Moral absolutes.Moral absolutes.
 Broad conclusions.Broad conclusions.
 New language and conspiratorial beliefs.New language and conspiratorial beliefs.Martin, Understanding Terrorism Fifth
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5.  The World of the ExtremistThe World of the Extremist
 Different, often fantastic, worldview compared toDifferent, often fantastic, worldview compared to
non-extremists.non-extremists.
 Basic belief that unjust forces are arrayed againstBasic belief that unjust forces are arrayed against
true believers.true believers.
 Clear sense of mission, purpose, and righteousness.Clear sense of mission, purpose, and righteousness.
Martin, Understanding Terrorism Fifth
Edition. (c) SAGE Publications 2016

6.  Guerrilla WarfareGuerrilla Warfare
 A Sampling of Formal DefinitionsA Sampling of Formal Definitions
 The American Context: Defining Terrorism inThe American Context: Defining Terrorism in
the United Statesthe United States
 Types of TerrorismTypes of Terrorism
Martin, Understanding Terrorism Fifth
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7.  A Sampling of Formal DefinitionsA Sampling of Formal Definitions
 The use of illegal force.The use of illegal force.
 Subnational actors.Subnational actors.
 Unconventional methods.Unconventional methods.
 Political motives.Political motives.
 Attacks on “soft” civilian & passive military targets.Attacks on “soft” civilian & passive military targets.
 Acts aimed at purposefully affecting an audience.Acts aimed at purposefully affecting an audience.
Martin, Understanding Terrorism Fifth
Edition. (c) SAGE Publications 2016

8.  The American Context: Defining Terrorism inThe American Context: Defining Terrorism in
the United Statesthe United States
 No single definition has been adopted.No single definition has been adopted.
 Definitions have been developed from time to timeDefinitions have been developed from time to time
by government agencies.by government agencies.
 For example, by the Department of Defense, the U.S.For example, by the Department of Defense, the U.S.
Code, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and theCode, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the
Department of State.Department of State.Martin, Understanding Terrorism Fifth
Edition. (c) SAGE Publications 2016

9.  The American Context: Defining Terrorism inThe American Context: Defining Terrorism in
the United States (continued)the United States (continued)
 Composite American definition: “Premeditated andComposite American definition: “Premeditated and
unlawful act in which groups or agents of someunlawful act in which groups or agents of some
principal engage in a threatened or actual use ofprincipal engage in a threatened or actual use of
force or violence against human or property targets.force or violence against human or property targets.
These groups or agents engage in this behaviorThese groups or agents engage in this behavior
intending the purposeful intimidation ofintending the purposeful intimidation of
governments or people to affect policy or behaviorgovernments or people to affect policy or behavior
with an underlying political objective.”with an underlying political objective.”Martin, Understanding Terrorism Fifth
Edition. (c) SAGE Publications 2016

10.  Types of TerrorismTypes of Terrorism
 A general consensus among experts about the types ofA general consensus among experts about the types of
terrorism.terrorism.
 State Terrorism.State Terrorism.
 Dissident Terrorism.Dissident Terrorism.
 Religious Terrorism.Religious Terrorism.
 Criminal Terrorism.Criminal Terrorism.
 International Terrorism.International Terrorism.
Martin, Understanding Terrorism Fifth
Edition. (c) SAGE Publications 2016

11.  Four QuotationsFour Quotations
 Participants in a Terrorist EnvironmentParticipants in a Terrorist Environment
 Terrorism or Freedom Fighting?Terrorism or Freedom Fighting?
 Extremism or “Mainstreamism”?Extremism or “Mainstreamism”?
Martin, Understanding Terrorism Fifth
Edition. (c) SAGE Publications 2016

12.  Perspective 1: Four QuotationsPerspective 1: Four Quotations
 ““One Person’s Terrorist is Another Person’s FreedomOne Person’s Terrorist is Another Person’s Freedom
Fighter”Fighter”
 ““One Man Willing to Throw Away His Life is EnoughOne Man Willing to Throw Away His Life is Enough
to Terrorize a Thousand”to Terrorize a Thousand”
 ““Extremism in Defense of Liberty is No Vice”Extremism in Defense of Liberty is No Vice”
 ““It Became Necessary to Destroy the Town to Save It”It Became Necessary to Destroy the Town to Save It”
Martin, Understanding Terrorism Fifth
Edition. (c) SAGE Publications 2016

13.  Perspective 2: Participants in a TerroristPerspective 2: Participants in a Terrorist
EnvironmentEnvironment
 The terrorist.The terrorist.
 The supporter.The supporter.
 The victim.The victim.
 The target.The target.
 The onlooker.The onlooker.
 The analyst.The analyst.
Martin, Understanding Terrorism Fifth
Edition. (c) SAGE Publications 2016

14.  Perspective 3: Terrorism or Freedom Fighting?Perspective 3: Terrorism or Freedom Fighting?
 Debate: Whether the use of political violence isDebate: Whether the use of political violence is
justifiable.justifiable.
 Governments and dissidents always cite nobleGovernments and dissidents always cite noble
aspirations to justify violence.aspirations to justify violence.
 Perspective 4: Extremism or “Mainstreamism”?Perspective 4: Extremism or “Mainstreamism”?
 Debate: Whether political violence is alwaysDebate: Whether political violence is always
manifested from a political fringe.manifested from a political fringe.
 Do some political environments make extremismDo some political environments make extremism
justifiable within the mainstream?justifiable within the mainstream?
Martin, Understanding Terrorism Fifth
Edition. (c) SAGE Publications 2016

15.  2X2 Table2X2 Table
 Combatants and NoncombatantsCombatants and Noncombatants
 Use of Discriminate or Indiscriminate ForceUse of Discriminate or Indiscriminate Force
 Violent Environments Resulting From Use ofViolent Environments Resulting From Use of
ForceForce
 Total war.Total war.
 Total war/unrestricted terrorism.Total war/unrestricted terrorism.
 Limited war.Limited war.
 State repression/restricted terrorism.State repression/restricted terrorism.
Martin, Understanding Terrorism Fifth
Edition. (c) SAGE Publications 2016

16. Martin, Understanding Terrorism Fifth
Edition. (c) SAGE Publications 2016