Causes of Terrorism 1. Ideational - Religious ideology and apocalyptic beliefs 2. Nihilism - Belief that all institutions and values are meaningless - Only redeeming value is believed to be violence 3. Individual - Feelings of alienation or humiliation - Generate grievances, frustrations, and desire for vengeance 4. Social Benefits - Sense of identity - Group solidarity Does Terrorism Work? - No - Very seldom achieves dramatic change - Yes - Economic: depresses tourism, foreign direct investment, stock markets, and so on - Social: Increased anxiety and insecurity - Political: erodes state legitimacy Religion in Political Violence - Hostility to modernity - Belief in “cosmic war” - Views the modern world as marginalizing or dehumanizing believers - Messianic, apocalyptic, or utopian belief Stat Responses to Terrorism - Two main responses 1. Repression - To violently crack down on terrorist groups - May solve immediate threat, but also may encourage more resentment later - Could also encourage foreign intervention 2. Reform - To negotiate and change current practices to satisfy the terrorist organization - May satisfy some demands but can encourage more demands later

POL 257: Introduction to Comparative Politics 4B