Which term describes the use of violence against targeted groups to achieve political goals?

The term that describes the use of violence against targeted groups to achieve political goals is terrorism. This concept involves the systematic use of violence or threat of violence, usually by non-state actors, to create fear and coerce individuals or governments into meeting certain demands or achieving specific political objectives. Terrorism is characterized by its intention to invoke a psychological impact on both victims and the broader society, often targeting civilians to send a message.

Other terms, while associated with violence and political aims, do not capture the specific nature of terrorism as well. War typically refers to conflict between organized groups or nations, often involving formal military engagement and may not specifically target civilians for political aims. Rebellion generally indicates a broader uprising against authority and may not involve the systematic fear tactics associated with terrorism. Insurgency involves the movement against an established authority with an aim to overthrown or disrupt; while it can include terror tactics, it is broader in scope and not always focused on creating fear among civilians. Therefore, terrorism is the most precise term for the described actions.