Terrorism is diverse in its definition, but in simple terms it is the unlawful use of force and violence against a person or property, to intimidate or coerce a government or the civil population in furtherance of political and or social objective.
Throughout history, terrorism has occurred for a variety of reasons. There have been perceptions of deprivation and inequality of resources, power, leadership, etc. especially amongst culturally defined groups.
Origin of terrorism may vary with different ideologies and scenarios from representation of small or minority communities feeling the wave of discontent, to raising attacks which are directed to higher or centralized communities and or governments in the intent to coerce them to submit to the communities demands.
Media has been known to play a critical role in influencing the patterns of terrorism. Journalists have made biased reporting dependent on individual inclination towards ideologies, thereby enhancing agenda setting, increasing lethality and expanding the same beyond borders of a nation.
Research has found males to dominate in terrorism as the majority of violent extremists are men as terrorist groups exploit male sentiments of emasculation and loss of power and appeal to ideas of manhood in their recruitment efforts. Across the ideological spectrum, many of these groups glorify masculine images of violence and the subjugation of women.
Gender inequality and high proportion of males increases the association with intra-societal violence and instability. Political and criminally motivated violence is largely the work of young men.
Other causes of terrorism include poverty, unemployment, allure of quick wealth, religious motivation, and drug abuse.