Examining Diffusion of Benefits in a Terrorism Context

• In Event: Responses to Terrorism

Abstract

Criminologists and terrorism specialists alike have conducted research on the deterrent effect of laws and policies; however, to date, only criminologists have examined the associated displacement and diffusion effects. Using data from the Global Terrorism Database (GTD), this study first examines the deterrent effect of legislative efforts targeting extremist animal rights and environmental groups over a several year period. Next, the study extends this application to examine actions undertaken by non-violent environmental activists whom stand to be affected by a diffusion of benefits. Using data obtained from open-source sites, this study examines patterns over time in the use of non-violent civil disobedience by leading environmental groups in the United States in an attempt to determine if the policies targeting extremists have had a deterrent impact on non-violent activists. If anti-terrorist laws affect non-violent law-breaking by non-terrorists, then this has policy implications for other types of counterterrorism and law enforcement strategies.

Author

• Aaron Safer-Lichtenstein, University of Maryland