ABSTRACT
Research in counterterrorism (CT) is currently under-theorized. One possible reason for this is the lack of formal concepts. This chapter will attempt to contribute to the study of CT by providing a review of issues that would need to be considered when conceptualizing the eld. This chapter begins with a description of the state of CT literature today. It then reviews common denitions of terrorism and CT. By means of a logical analysis of these denitions, this chapter suggests some basic ways of conceptualizing CT. The two major proposals are to view CT as a purposive activity, and to view CT in opposition to both passivity and terrorism. After discussing the political aspects of CT and the danger of political bias in CT research, this chapter goes on to suggest typologies that could be used to structure essential attributes of CT. This chapter concludes with a brief review of the difculties that are inherent to the operationalization of CT and its more general study.
