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ID: 112390

Decision processes of a suicide bomber—the economics and psychology of attacking and defecting / Pittel, Karen; Rubbelke, Dirk T G

Rubbelke, Dirk T G	Journal Article
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2012.

Summary/Abstract

This paper provides a theoretical analysis of suicide attacks and defection. First, decision processes of potential attackers are examined from an economist's perspective. The results are then applied to insights from behavioural economics and psychology. We derive conditions under which agents decide to become suicide bombers-or to announce an attack and defect later. Taking account of hyperbolic discounting we show why the decision to commit a suicide attack can be time-inconsistent and what internal manipulation mechanisms (arising from cognitive dissonance and terror management) and external manipulation mechanisms (employed by terrorist organizations and governments) might prevent or foster time-inconsistency.

Key Words

Suicide Terrorism ; Hyperbolic Discounting ; Cognitive Dissonance ; Defection ; Terror Management ; Time - Inconsistency

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ID: 059271

Differing motivations for terrorism / Rubbelke, Dirk T G

Feb 2005

Rubbelke, Dirk T G	Journal Article
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Publication

Feb 2005.

Key Words

Terrorism ; Joint Production ; Conjectures

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ID: 074968

What directs a terrorist? / Pittel, Karen; Rubbelke, Dirk T G

Rubbelke, Dirk T G	Journal Article
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Publication

2006.

Summary/Abstract

Terrorist models often focus on one kind of agent as well as one motive to pursue terrorism. Our model diverges from such standard approaches by taking account of the reasoning of the terrorist?organization leader as well as the reasoning of the individual terrorist. This allows us to observe the influence of the leader on the individual terrorist. Furthermore, we distinguish different motives that influence the individual agent's activities. More precisely, we consider terrorist support as an impure public good generating different characteristics. Moreover, we allow the leader to influence the individual terrorist's activities via different technologies; and finally, we take account of the fact that individual terrorists may develop a strong feeling of belongingness to the organization. In our framework, it is possible to explain why rational terrorists support terrorism and even commit suicide attacks. In line with empirical findings, income levels play no decisive factor in terrorists' readiness to commit such attacks.

Key Words

Terrorism ; Reasoning ; Individual Terrorist

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