Title: State terrorism - Wikipedia
Headings: State terrorism
State terrorism
Contents
Definition
History
By country
China
France
India
Iran
Israel
Italy
Libya
Myanmar
North Korea
Pakistan
Russia/Soviet Union
South Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
United Kingdom
United States
Uzbekistan
Criticism of the concept
See also
References
Bibliography
Further reading
External links
Prevention of terrorism

Content: Academic writing tends to follow the definitions accepted by states. Most states use the term "terrorism" for non-state actors only. The Encyclopædia Britannica Online defines terrorism generally as "the systematic use of violence to create a general climate of fear in a population and thereby to bring about a particular political objective", and states that "terrorism is not legally defined in all jurisdictions." The encyclopedia adds that " [e]stablishment terrorism, often called state or state-sponsored terrorism, is employed by governments—or more often by factions within governments—against that government's citizens, against factions within the government, or against foreign governments or groups." While the most common modern usage of the word terrorism refers to civilian-victimising political violence by insurgents or conspirators, several scholars make a broader interpretation of the nature of terrorism that encompasses the concepts of state terrorism and state-sponsored terrorism. Michael Stohl argues, "The use of terror tactics is common in international relations and the state has been and remains a more likely employer of terrorism within the international system than insurgents. Stohl clarifies, however, that " [n]ot all acts of state violence are terrorism. It is important to understand that in terrorism the violence threatened or perpetrated, has purposes broader than simple physical harm to a victim. The audience of the act or threat of violence is more important than the immediate victim." Scholar Gus Martin describes state terrorism as terrorism "committed by governments and quasi-governmental agencies and personnel against perceived threats", which can be directed against both domestic and foreign targets.