Harrison, Mark, 1949-. (2006) An economist looks at suicide terrorism. World Economics, Vol.7 (No.3). pp. 1-15. ISSN 1468-1838

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Abstract

Suicide terrorism has an economic aspect. The organisation of a suicide mission requires an incentive, a voluntary transaction, and a contract that is enforceable by the parties to it. A terrorist faction that competes for power in a community that is both oppressed and oppressive provides young people with an incentive to invest in an identity that is rendered more valuable by death. Suicide attacks are then the outcome of a voluntary agreement between the faction and the young person to trade life for identity. The institution of the “living martyr” renders the agreement privately enforceable. Thus, suicide terrorism is the outcome of an individual rational choice. There are some implications for counter-measures.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Economics
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Suicide bombers, Suicide bombings -- Economic aspects
Journal or Publication Title:	World Economics
Publisher:	Economic and Financial Publishing Ltd.
ISSN:	1468-1838
Date:	2006
Volume:	Vol.7
Number:	No.3
Page Range:	pp. 1-15
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Realised As:	Responses to this item: Matteucci, A. (2007). Is suicide terrorism a novel economic phenomenon? A response to Mark Harrison’s ‘An economist looks at suicide terrorism’. World Economics, 8(1), pp. 239-240; Harrison, M. (2007). Is suicide terrorism a novel economic phenomenon? Reply to Matteucci. World Economics, 8(1), pp. 241-243.
URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/36659

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