Essentials of Terrorism: Concepts and Controversies

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. 

Table of Contents:
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

About the Author :
Clarence Augustus “Gus” Martin is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Criminal Justice Administration at California State University, Dominguez Hills, where he teaches courses on criminal law, terrorism and extremism, and the criminal justice system. He served as the founding Chair of the department and as the founding Director of the School of Public Service and Justice. He also 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, and the administration of justice. Dr. Martin is author of several books on the subjects of terrorism and homeland security, including Understanding Terrorism: Challenges, Perspectives, and Issues (SAGE Publications, 2025); Terrorism and WMDs: Awareness and Response, Third Edition (with John Pichtel, CRC Press, 2025); Understanding Homeland Security (SAGE Publications, 2024); The Handbook of Homeland Security (with Scott Romaniuk and Martin Scott Catino; Routledge, 2023); Essentials of Terrorism: Concepts and Controversies (SAGE Publications, 2022); 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, 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). Prior to joining academia, Dr. Martin served as Managing Attorney for the Fair Housing Partnership of Greater Pittsburgh, where he was also director of a program created under a federal consent decree to desegregate public and assisted housing. He was also Special Counsel to the Attorney General of the U.S. Virgin Islands on the island of St. Thomas. As Special Counsel, he occupied a personal and confidential position in the central office of the Department of Justice; sat as hearing officer for disciplinary hearings and departmental grievances; served as chair of the Drug Policy Committee; served as liaison to the intergovernmental Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee as well as to the Narcotics Strike Force; and provided daily legal and policy advice to the Attorney General. Prior to serving as Special Counsel, he was a “floor” Legislative Assistant to Congressman Charles B. Rangel of New York. As Legislative Assistant, he researched, evaluated and drafted legislation in areas of foreign policy, foreign aid, human rights, housing, education, social services, and poverty; he also drafted House floor statements, Congressional Record inserts, press releases, and news articles; and he composed speeches, briefing materials, and legislative correspondence. Dr. Martin received his A.B. degree from Harvard College, J.D. from Duquesne University Thomas R. Kline School of Law, and Ph.D. from the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh.