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Essentials of Terrorism
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Essentials of Terrorism
Concepts and Controversies

Sixth Edition
  • Gus Martin - California State University, Dominguez Hills, USA
December 2021 | 416 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
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Captivating, concise, and accessible, Essentials of Terrorism: Concepts and Controversies covers key foundational topics by defining terrorism and introducing its history and causes. Author Gus Martin introduces readers to the modern landscape of terrorism and discusses terrorist environments (domestic, international, religious, etc.), as well as tactics, targets, and counterterrorism. Included in the Sixth Edition is an added focus on U.S. hate crimes and homeland security, in addition to new introductory discussions, information, and data throughout each chapter. 

 


 
About the Author
 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
Part I: Understanding Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
 
Chapter 1: Defining Terrorism
Learning Objectives

 
Understanding Political Extremism

 
Formal and Informal Definitions

 
Objectives and Goals of Terrorism

 
Playing to the Audience: Objectives, Victims, and Constituencies

 
Terrorists or Freedom Fighters?

 
The Political Violence Matrix

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Terms and Concepts

 
Recommended Readings

 
 
Chapter 2: Historical Perspectives and Ideological Origins
Learning Objectives

 
Historical Perspectives on Terrorism

 
Ideological Origins of Terrorism

 
September 11, 2001, and the New Terrorism

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Terms and Concepts

 
Recommended Readings

 
 
Chapter 3: Causes of Terrorist Violence
Learning Objectives

 
Political Violence as the Fruit of Injustice

 
Political Violence as Strategic Choice

 
Moral Justifications for Political Violence

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Terms and Concepts

 
Recommended Readings

 
 
Chapter 4: Terrorist Violence and the Role of the Media
Learning Objectives

 
Understanding the Role of the Media

 
A New Battleground: The War for the Information High Ground

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Terms and Concepts

 
Recommended Readings

 
 
Part II: Terrorist Environments
 
Chapter 5: Terrorism by the State
Learning Objectives

 
Perspectives on Terrorism by Governments

 
Domestic Terrorism by the State

 
Terrorism as Foreign Policy

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Terms and Concepts

 
Recommended Readings

 
 
Chapter 6: Terrorism by Dissidents
Learning Objectives

 
Perspectives on Violent Dissent

 
The Practice of Dissident Terrorism

 
Terrorist Targets and Weapons

 
Dissidents and the New Terrorism

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Terms and Concepts

 
Recommended Readings

 
 
Chapter 7: Religious Terrorism
Learning Objectives

 
Historical Perspectives on Religious Violence

 
The Practice of Religious Terrorism

 
Trends and Projections

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Terms and Concepts

 
Recommended Readings

 
 
Chapter 8: International Terrorism
Learning Objectives

 
Understanding International Terrorism

 
International Terrorist Networks

 
The International Dimension of the New Terrorism

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Terms and Concepts

 
Recommended Readings

 
 
Chapter 9: Domestic Terrorism in the United States
Learning Objectives

 
Are “Hate Crimes” in the United States Acts of Terrorism?

 
Left-Wing Extremism in the United States

 
Left-Wing Terrorism in the United States

 
Right-Wing Extremism in the United States

 
Right-Wing Terrorism in the United States

 
Understanding the Persistence of Violent Ideologies in the United States

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Terms and Concepts

 
Recommended Readings

 
 
Part III: The Terrorist Battleground
 
Chapter 10: Counterterrorism and the War on Terrorism
Learning Objectives

 
The Use of Force

 
Operations Other Than War: Repressive Options

 
Operations Other Than War: Conciliatory Options

 
Legalistic Responses

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Terms and Concepts

 
Recommended Readings

 
 
Chapter 11: Homeland Security
Learning Objectives

 
Homeland Security in Perspective

 
Homeland Security in the United States

 
Civil Liberties and Securing the Homeland

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Terms and Concepts

 
Recommended Readings

 
 
Chapter 12: Future Trends and Projections
Learning Objectives

 
What Does the Future Hold?

 
Revisiting the War on Terrorism

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Terms and Concepts

 
Recommended Readings

 
 
Appendix: Map References
 
Glossary
 
Notes
 
Index

Good updated information in the field of study.

John Reid
Social and Behavioral Sciences, Pfeiffer University
April 28, 2022
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Key features

NEW TO THIS EDITION:

  • New introductory discussions are included throughout each chapter related to the tables and figures
  • Updated overviews of terrorist objectives, tactics, targets, and weapons are included in Chapters 1 and 6
  • Chapters 2, 6, 7, and 12 include updated theoretical and historical information
  • Chapter 9 includes new discussion of hate crimes in the United States 
  • Updates to discussions on homeland security in Chapter 11
  • New discussions on future trends are included in Chapter 12

KEY FEATURES: 
  • Learning Objectives have been updated at the beginning of each chapter using Bloom’s taxonomy, focusing students’ attention on key concepts.
  • Discussion boxes stimulate critical thinking and encourage classroom discussions and debates about timely topics.
  • End-of-chapter material, including Key Terms and Internet Exercises, help readers fully understand key concepts.
  • Fully updated tables and figures are included to present an empirical summary of discussions and concepts, allowing readers to conduct insightful research and analyses.