LAUSR

The solution lies in an internationally agreed definition. Anthony Richards addresses the definitional problem but ‘from an academic perspective’ (p. v). In this endeavour, instead of defining terrorism either as a derogatory label or as a form of political violence, which is the prevailing tendency among scholars, the author argues that ‘there is something distinctive about terrorism that is worth theorizing’ (p. 16). What is worth theorising is a debatable issue in the discourse of terrorism. Some place it in a means-end framework, while others place it in a civilian-combatant one. For the author, however, it is the intention of the perpetrators that makes terrorism distinct. Therefore, he defines terrorism as a method that uses violence or force to generate ‘a psychological impact beyond the immediate victims or object of attack for a political motive’ (p. 146). He also makes a clear-cut distinction between other categories such as state terrorism, state terror, non-state terrorism and state-sponsored terrorism. The book is based on a comprehensive literature review of the field. To arrive at a definition of terrorism, it discusses various aspects of the definition of terrorism as debated at multilateral forums such as the UN and within academia. However, although Richards provides a useful definition of terrorism, his understanding of state-sponsored terrorism is problematic. To the author, an act will be considered as statesponsored terrorism only when states ‘knowingly provide assistance, including finance and material resources’ (p. 146). According to this definition, only active support to terrorists by a state actor constitutes state-sponsored terrorism. But what about those cases where a state does not provide any active assistance to terrorists but nonetheless allows its territory to be used by them for recruitment and training and in order to collect funds to target other states? Is this then not state-sponsored terrorism? For the author, it is not. Nevertheless, at a time when the international community is working hard to conclude a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (through the Working Group of the Sixth Committee of the UN General Assembly) which aims to find an internationally agreed definition of terrorism, by analysing the various dimensions of terrorism as it does this book can certainly guide policymakers.