The Difference between Terrorism and Domestic Terrorism

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The terms terrorism and domestic terrorism are very similar concepts. There are, however, slight differences in each. Entities that are apart of the Government have slightly different ways of explaining what they believe to be the correct definition of terrorism and domestic terrorism. In this paper the author will offer definitions of the two terms and state which one they agree with the most. The author will also state how the two terms are best differentiated.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) defines terrorism on the basis of three characteristics. In order for an act to be considered terrorism, it needs to be (1) a violent act, or acts dangerous to human life that violates laws; (2) appear to be intended (i) to intimidate or coerces civilian population; (ii) to influence policies of a government by coercion or intimidation; or (iii) to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, kidnapping, or assassination. The third characteristic that needs to be present is (3) the act needs to occur primarily outside the territorial jurisdiction of the United States, or surpass national boundaries in terms of the means by which they are accomplished, the persons they appear intended to intimidate or coerce, or the locale in which their perpetrators operate or seek asylum (Definitions, 2013).
In slightly different words, the American Heritage Cultural Dictionary defines terrorism as “Acts of violence committed by groups that view themselves as victimized by some notable historical wrong.” Many times these groups do not have a formal connection with government affairs, but they do have financial a moral backing from sympathetic governments. These groups typically stage attacks on civilian targets that are quite unexpect...

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Definitions of Terrorism in the U.S. Code. (2013, August 20). FBI. Retrieved May 23, 2014, from http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/terrorism/terrorism-definition

Reports and Publications. (2010, May 21).FBI. Retrieved May 25, 2014, from http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/terrorism-2002-2005

Terrorism. (n.d.). National Institute of Justice. Retrieved May 23, 2014, from http://www.nij.gov/topics/crime/terrorism/

terrorism. (n.d.). Dictionary.com. Retrieved May 23, 2014, from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ter

domestic terrorism. (n.d.).Dictionary.com. Retrieved May 25, 2014, from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/do

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