Criminal Assassin vs. Terrorist Assassin
Criminal Assassin Terrorist Assassin
Destroy those who are corrupting Destroy a system that is
the system already corrupt
Focus on corrupt persons Will kill innocent
persons who get in the
way
The act is singular; it is an The is part of the whole;
event; a passing deed a process, a dedication
a way of life
A short term conspiracy A long term movement
Wish to escape personal Wish to be bring attention
identification/notoriety to the group/movement;
may even wish to be
apprehended for the
publicity
Willing to be judged here and now Wish to be judged under
the new order
Some social conscience; kill Often beyond feeling; past
perhaps because of a greater feeling; people are
social concern often referred to as
animals
adapted from David C. Rapoport, Assassination and Terrorism,
Toronto, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, l971.