About Book

In this revised edition of What Makes a Terrorist, economist Alan B. Krueger explores the economic and social factors that influence individuals to engage in terrorism. Drawing on rigorous statistical analyses, Krueger questions popular assumptions about the economic motivations behind terrorism, including the belief that poverty and lack of education are the primary drivers of extremist violence. While acknowledging the complexity of terrorism and the difficulty of drawing firm conclusions, the book offers valuable insights into how economic and social factors interact with political and ideological motivations to contribute to terrorist behavior. Krueger's findings suggest that the roots of terrorism are multifaceted and that straightforward economic explanations may not fully capture the underlying dynamics. Many popular ideas about terrorists and why they seek to harm us are fueled by falsehoods and misinformation. Leading politicians and scholars have argued that poverty and lack of education breed terrorism, despite the wealth of evidence showing that most terrorists come from middle-class, and often college-educated, backgrounds. In What Makes a Terrorist, Alan Krueger argues that if we are to correctly assess the root causes of terrorism and successfully address the threat, we must think more like economists do. Krueger is an influential economist who has applied rigorous statistical analysis to a range of tough issues, from the minimum wage and education to the occurrence of hate crimes. In this book, he explains why our tactics in the fight against terrorism must be based on more than anecdote and speculation. Krueger closely examines the factors that motivate individuals to participate in terrorism, drawing inferences from terrorists' own backgrounds and the economic, social, and political conditions in the societies from which they come. He describes which countries are the most likely breeding grounds for terrorists, and which ones are most likely to be their targets. Krueger addresses the economic and psychological consequences of terrorism. He puts the terrorist threat squarely into perspective, revealing how our nation's sizeable economy is diverse and resilient enough to withstand the comparatively limited effects of most terrorist strikes. And he calls on the media to be more responsible in reporting on terrorism. Relevance to Current Era: The book offers essential insights into the intersection of economics and terrorism, providing a counter-narrative to simplistic views of poverty-driven radicalization. By exploring the multifaceted nature of terrorism, it remains highly relevant in understanding the economic contexts and broader social factors that contribute to terrorism today. Frame work:This book is highly valuable for understanding the complexities of terrorism, especially in terms of economic and social determinants. It can be an important resource for initiatives focused on counter-terrorism, the economics of radicalization, and understanding the systemic factors behind terrorist behavior.Its academic nature and focus on the role of economics in terrorism align well with peace-building and counter-terrorism initiatives that aim to address root causes beyond just ideology or religion.