A comprehensive study has been made of the philosophy of terror as a phenomenon; its uses as a weapon for achieving its goals, whether legitimate or illegitimate; and the vehicles in the form of causes and issues that induce men and women to engage in terrorist activities. A comparative study is made of factors affecting planning the response to terrorism in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The influence of the media is addressed with respect to freedom of the press and press coverage of terrorist events. The author concludes that terrorism will continue to exist in the immediate future, and that means must be found for coping with its contemporary strategies. References. (Author abstract modified)