Cambridge University Press - Theories of Terrorism

This chapter was originally published as: Atin Basuchoudhary and Gary M. Shiffman, “Theories of Terrorism,” in The Cambridge Handbook on the Economics of Terrorism, Cambridge University Press, 2026, pp. 142–162. To read the original chapter in full, click here.

DOI: 10.1017/9781108989046.007

Abstract

In this chapter, we explore the rational choice approach to terrorism, combining viewpoints from political economy, organizational behavior, and individual psychology. We therefore examine terrorism as a strategic option chosen under certain socio-economic and political constraints, evaluating how aspects like market forces, organizational tactics, and individual incentives influence the phenomenon.