How have political scientists approached the topic of terrorism

How have political scientists approached the topic of terrorism – in terms of its definition, its history, and possible policy responses. In this light, what do you make of Mueller’s argument that: “Far more Americans are killed each year not only by such highly destructive hazards as drug overdoses or automobile accidents, but even by such comparatively minor ones as lightning, accident-causing deer, peanut allergies, or drowning in bathtubs…Terrorism is rare outside war zones because, to a substantial degree, terrorists don’t exist there. In general, as with rare diseases that kill few, it makes more policy sense to expend limited funds on hazards that inflict far more damage.”