ABSTRACT
The defi nition and typology from Chapter 2 provide an essential starting point for understanding terrorism. There are other elements often common to the groups that practice political violence, regardless of their religious, ethnic/national, or ideological orientation. The ends may be different, but frequently the means can be very similar-not just with the initial decision to resort to the use of terrorism but in terms of the types of attacks that are undertaken and the broad strategies. Dissident organizations may use similar techniques, use similar weapons, and select similar targets. Local conditions and circumstances, however, are more likely to determine choices rather than the goals of the dissident group using violence. Available resources (fi nancial and otherwise) may be more important in determining which weapons, tactics, or targets are preferred rather than the political goals of the organization. All of the selections ultimately are made from possibilities that almost any group with suffi cient planning skills, funding, weapons, and personnel may attempt to undertake. Broad strategies will be discussed fi rst. Techniques will then be analyzed. The weapons that can be used will be discussed next, including a consideration of the possibility of groups using weapons of mass destruction such as nuclear bombs, chemical poisons, or biological agents. Clearly concerns about the possibilities for the use of these weapons in the twenty-fi rst century have increased. Finally, the possible types of targets that can be chosen and which are chosen will be discussed. Included in this discussion will be a consideration of the possibility that democratic countries are more vulnerable to terrorist attacks than non-democratic ones.
