What is terrorism? Can it be understood as an idea or a method? Is there a connection between terrorist violence and the circumstances of its context of emergence? How does September 11, 2001 fit into the history of terrorism - can modern terrorism be compared to historical terrorism? What strategies does politics employ to respond to this challenge? Can the definition of terrorism also be extended to the actions of state organs? What social profile do terrorists have, and what conclusions can be drawn about their motivations? How is terrorism presented to the public? And finally: How does Hollywood cinema and its forms of representation influence the perception of the real phenomenon? These and numerous other questions about the actors, structures, and development lines of political violence are explored.