Which type of terrorism focuses on a single issue or special interest (for example, abortion or environment)?

• A. Domestic/Indigenous Terrorism
• B. Social Terrorism
• C. Ethnocentric Terrorism
• D. Religious Terrorism

Answer: (B)

Single-issue focus is what defines this type of terrorism. Groups motivated by one specific social concern—such as abortion rights or environmental policy—seek to force change on that issue and may use violence to draw attention or pressure policymakers. The driving force isn’t broad ideology, ethnicity, or religion, but a single cause, which is why this is categorized as social or single-issue terrorism.

That distinction helps separate it from other forms: actions rooted in homeland or indigenous grievances focus on geographic or identity claims; those driven by ethnicity center on race or ethnic group; and religious terrorism centers on faith-based aims. When the core motive is a specific social issue, the single-issue approach is the best fit.