Essentials of Terrorism

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:

C. Augustus "Gus" Martin is Director of the School of Public Service and Justice at California State University, Dominguez Hills. He is also a Professor of Criminal Justice Administration, where he regularly teaches a course on the subject of terrorism and extremism. He has served as Associate Vice President for Human Resources Management, Acting Associate Dean of the College of Business Administration and Public Policy, Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs, and Chair of the Department of Public Administration. He began his academic career as a member of the faculty of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh, where he was an Administration of Justice professor. His current research and professional interests are terrorism and extremism, homeland security, the administration of justice, and juvenile justice. 


Dr. Martin is author of several books on the subjects of terrorism and homeland security, including Essentials of Terrorism: Concepts and Controversies (SAGE Publications, 2022); Understanding Terrorism: Challenges, Perspectives, and Issues (SAGE Publications, 2021); Understanding Homeland Security (SAGE Publications, 2020); Terrorism: An International Perspective (with Fynnwin Prager; SAGE Publications, 2019); The SAGE Encyclopedia of Terrorism, Second Edition (SAGE Publications, 2011); Terrorism and Homeland Security (SAGE Publications, 2011); and The New Era of Terrorism: Selected Readings (SAGE Publications, 2004). He is also author of Juvenile Justice: Process and Systems (SAGE Publications, 2005).