Individual papers explore the major theories, typologies, concepts, strategies, tactics, ideologies, practices, implications and responses to contemporary political terrorism. The importance of historical, structural, and environmental constraints are also analyzed. A discussion of the role of State terrorism and analyses by the FBI and Department of State of domestic and international terrorism are included. Other papers focus on terrorism within Latin America, the Middle East, the United States, Western Europe, and Sub-Sahara Africa. A concluding commentary emphasizes that terrorism is not a simple public policy problem that may be prevented or eliminated through the application of easily available remedies, although progress has occurred in some areas. Issues that remain controversial in the study of terrorism include (1) the interrelationship among political terrorism, the media, and civil liberties; (2) counterterrorism policies; (3) the threat that terrorists will use nuclear force of sabotage nuclear plants; and (4) the existence of an international terrorist network and the role of the Soviet Union in the problem of terrorism. Tables, figures, chapter reference lists, and index.