ABSTRACT
The purpose of state terrorism is to disable internal or external groups perceived as enemies; the purpose of revolutionary terrorism is to overthrow governments; and the purpose of assassination is to force a change of policies, rulers or ministers. A revolution involves warlike deeds which violate international protocols it will be criminal in the same sense that the terroristic warfare of states is criminal. Revolution is the attempt to overthrow a government by force of arms, carried out either by its citizens, or by groups of foreigners sympathetic to a political or religious cause, or clandestinely by foreign powers using mercenaries, bribery, and so on. Crimes can be defined as offences against the criminal law, though that account does seem somewhat circular. Everyone knows the slogan ‘one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter’, for it is apt to be solemnly recited, like a profession of faith, by all parties, in any discussion.
