MapMaster 3

The Political Terror Scale, which is a yearly measure of state-inflicted political "terror" such as torture, disappearances, and political imprisonment. The rankings are as follows: (1) Countries are under a secure rule of law, people are not imprisoned for their views, and torture is rare or exceptional. Political murders are rare. (2) There is a limited amount of imprisonment for nonviolent political activity. However, a few persons are affected; torture and beating are exceptional. Political murder is rare. (3) There is extensive political imprisonment. Execution or other political murders and brutality may be common. Unlimited detention, with or without trial, for political views is accepted. (4) The practices of level 3 are expanded to larger numbers. Murders, disappearances, and torture are part of life. Despite its generality, on this level, terror affects primarily those who interest themselves in politics or ideas. (5) The terrors of level 4 have been extended to the whole population. The leaders of these societies place no limits on the means or thoroughness with which they pursue personal or ideological goals. Levels are based on the U.S. State Department data set.