"Terrorism" is an act comprised of at least four crucial elements: it is an act of violence; it has a political motive or goal; it is perpetrated against innocent persons; and it is staged to be played before an audience whose reaction of fear and terror is the desired result. This definition eliminates from the label of "terrorist" football players, lunatics on a killing spree, and the assassin who attempts to kill a "bad" ruler. All acts of violence are not terrorist acts, no matter how heinous the acts may be. The lines between acceptable types of violence and unacceptable types is not always clear. Violence by revolutionaries and by the state is sometimes difficult to categorize clearly as "terrorist," even given the working definition developed in this chapter. Further study of the history, ideology, and individuals involved in terrorist acts may increase understanding of this significant but confusing term. At the conclusion of the chapter, student users of the text are provided descriptions of two violent acts and asked to determine whether they qualify as "terrorist" acts under the definition developed. 5 suggested readings and 17 notes