Definition of Terrorism

Submitted by Chadrock (United States), May 20, 2004 at 01:11

According to the Department of Defense, terrorism is "calculated use of unlawful violence or threat of unlawful violence to inculcate fear; intended to coerce or to intimidate governments or societies in the pursuit of goals that are generally political, religious, or ideological." [1] Federal law defines terrorism as the "unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives." [2] The U.S. Army Manual defines terrorism as the "calculated use of unlawful violence or threat of unlawful violence to inculcate fear. It is intended to coerce or intimidate governments or societies ... [to attain] political, religious, or ideological goals." [3]

[1] "DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms", http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/jel/doddict/data/t/05360.html
[2] 28 Code of Federal Regulations Section 0.85
[3] U.S. Army Field Manual No. FM 3-0, Chapter 9, 37, 14 June 2001, http://www.adtdl.army.mil/cgi-bin/atdl.dll/fm/3-0/ch9.htm#par3-7

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