Journal Article - Quarterly Journal: International Security
Why Terrorism Does Not Work
Summary
This is the first article to analyze a large sample of terrorist groups in terms of their policy effectiveness. It includes every foreign terrorist organization (FTO) designated by the U.S. Department of State since 2001. The key variable for FTO success is a tactical one: target selection. Terrorist groups whose attacks on civilian targets outnumber attacks on military targets do not tend to achieve their policy objectives, regardless of their nature. Contrary to the prevailing view that terrorism is an effective means of political coercion, the universe of cases suggests that, first, contemporary terrorist groups rarely achieve their policy objectives and, second, the poor success rate is inherent to the tactic of terrorism itself. The bulk of the article develops a theory for why countries are reluctant to make policy concessions when their civilian populations are the primary target.
For more information on this publication:
Please contact
International Security
For Academic Citation:
Abrahms, Max. “Why Terrorism Does Not Work.” Quarterly Journal: International Security, vol. 31. no. 2. (Fall 2006): 42-78 .
- Recommended
- In the Spotlight
- Most Viewed
Recommended
Analysis & Opinions
- The Sunday Times
China is Using Every Trick for World Domination
Audio
- The Washington Times
History As It Happens: What if? Kennedy and Vietnam
Audio
- Today Explained
The New Cold War
In the Spotlight
Most Viewed
Analysis & Opinions
- Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
NATO’s Concept for Deterrence and Defence of the Euro-Atlantic Area (DDA)
Analysis & Opinions
- The Sunday Times
China is Using Every Trick for World Domination
Paper
- Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
Attacking Artificial Intelligence: AI’s Security Vulnerability and What Policymakers Can Do About It
Summary
This is the first article to analyze a large sample of terrorist groups in terms of their policy effectiveness. It includes every foreign terrorist organization (FTO) designated by the U.S. Department of State since 2001. The key variable for FTO success is a tactical one: target selection. Terrorist groups whose attacks on civilian targets outnumber attacks on military targets do not tend to achieve their policy objectives, regardless of their nature. Contrary to the prevailing view that terrorism is an effective means of political coercion, the universe of cases suggests that, first, contemporary terrorist groups rarely achieve their policy objectives and, second, the poor success rate is inherent to the tactic of terrorism itself. The bulk of the article develops a theory for why countries are reluctant to make policy concessions when their civilian populations are the primary target.
- Recommended
- In the Spotlight
- Most Viewed
Recommended
Analysis & Opinions - The Sunday Times
China is Using Every Trick for World Domination
Audio - The Washington Times
History As It Happens: What if? Kennedy and Vietnam
Audio - Today Explained
The New Cold War
In the Spotlight
Most Viewed
Analysis & Opinions - Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
NATO’s Concept for Deterrence and Defence of the Euro-Atlantic Area (DDA)
Analysis & Opinions - The Sunday Times
China is Using Every Trick for World Domination
Paper - Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
Attacking Artificial Intelligence: AI’s Security Vulnerability and What Policymakers Can Do About It