Terrorism Definition

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other hand it has also been manipulated to fit neatly into many peoples own views so as to justify their own actions. In the 1980’s there were thought to be about 110 different definitions of Terrorism, since then that number has doubled (Moten). This seems to make perfect sense when this number is compared to the rise in terrorist acts themselves. With the crimes varying in type and being committed by more people, one would naturally think the definition would endure change.
The U.S. Department of State defines terrorism as politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence and audience (Ruby). In this definition there are three main points to take note of. The first stipulation is that the violence must be politically motivated. This may allow certain crimes to slip through the cracks. If a disgruntle employee blows up their former place of employment killing 50 innocent people, it ...

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religious, or ideological cause (Moten). Both of the definitions, like the US Department of State’s, mention the crimes being politically motivated but they also leave room for a plethora of other crimes that apply. They mention religious and ideological reasons for terrorism and many times terrorist acts fall under one of these to categories, not just in the political spectrum. In the example I gave earlier, about a disgruntle employee who carries out a bombing, the perpetrator really did not fit within the definition of Terrorism given but by adding these other takes on the matter it seems that the crime does indeed have a place in the terrorist world. It all has to do with the ...

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