What type of political violence is characterized by targeting civilians for psychological impact?

Terrorism is characterized by the deliberate targeting of civilians to instill fear, create psychological impact, and achieve specific political objectives. This form of political violence often aims to influence public opinion, provoke government action, or destabilize a political system through acts that are designed to be shocking and horrific. The emotional and psychological effects on the populace serve to amplify the terrorists' message and goals, making the impact of their actions felt far beyond the immediate physical consequences.

In contrast, civil disobedience typically involves a peaceful, non-violent form of protest against unjust laws or governmental actions, aiming to bring about change through moral persuasion rather than fear. Cyber warfare encompasses attacks on information systems to disrupt or damage the functionality of entities, often employed in the context of state-to-state conflict rather than targeting civilians for psychological terror. Insurrection refers to an uprising against an established authority, usually involving organized and armed resistance, where the focus is more on challenging and overthrowing political power than on instilling fear among civilians specifically.