The Library
An economist looks at suicide terrorism
Tools
Harrison, Mark (2006) An economist looks at suicide terrorism. World Economics, Vol.7 (No.3). pp. 1-15. ISSN 1468-1838.
Research output not available from this repository.
Request-a-Copy directly from author or use local Library Get it For Me service.
Official URL: http://www.world-economics-journal.com/
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 | ||||
Official Date: | 2006 | ||||
Dates: |
|
||||
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. |
Request changes or add full text files to a record
Repository staff actions (login required)
View Item |