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Publication Date
8-2018
Date of Final Oral Examination (Defense)
4-19-2018
Type of Culminating Activity
Thesis - Boise State University Access Only
Degree Title
Master of Arts in Political Science
Department
Political Science
Supervisory Committee Chair
Michael Allen, Ph.D.
Supervisory Committee Member
Ross Burkhart, Ph.D.
Supervisory Committee Member
Isaac M. Castellano, Ph.D.
Abstract
The effects of terrorist organization leadership decapitation on organizations’ demands and behavior has not been widely studied by International Relations scholars. Research does not support decapitation as an effective counter-terrorism policy. Aided by more recent literature on behavioral economics citing pro-social orientations, national identities and cognitive research this article argues that decapitation increases the amount of unlikely demands by the group. I argue specifically that, for externally induced leadership decapitation unlikely demands should increase, while for internally induced leadership decapitation unlikely demands should decrease. I examine these hypotheses using data on terrorist leadership decapitation for the 1970-2008 period; this model suggests support for the prevailing literature on terrorist organization leadership decapitation as a successful counterterrorism policy.
DOI
10.18122/td/1437/boisestate
Recommended Citation
Ronquillo, Nachelle Ann, "Opposing Perspectives: Examining Terrorist Organization Demands After Leadership Decapitation" (2018). Boise State University Theses and Dissertations. 1437.
10.18122/td/1437/boisestate